Ludhiana, January 6
There was no respite for travellers as bad weather once again threw rail traffic off the track with trains continuing to run behind schedule for the second day in succession.

Rail traffic on the New Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar and New Delhi-Jammu sections showed no improvement even though the visibility had improved a little bit. Railway officials said trains on these sections were running late due to the cascading effect of erratic schedule during the past two days.

While the 12332 Jammu-Kolkata Himgiri Express was running late by more than 13 hours, the 12471 Mumbai-Bandra Terminus-Jammu Swaraj Express and the 12919 Indore-Jammu Malwa Express were delayed by nearly four hours.

Trains on the New Delhi-Ludhiana-Amritsar route were also not able to maintain the timetable. The pair of trains 12497/12498 running between Bew Delhi and Amritsar were running late by 2.25 hours and 1.55 hours, respectively. Similarly, the 12029 New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express was delayed by 2.20 hours and the New Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi Express also arrived 30 minutes behind schedule.

Among other trains running late were the 15707 Katihar-Amritsar Amrapali Express (6.30 hours), the 11057 Mumbai-Amritsar Dadar Express (3.30 hours), the 12317 Kolkata-Amritsar Akal Takht Express (2.30 hours), while the 12203 Saharsa-Amritsar Garib Rath, the 12925 Mumbai-Bandra Terminus-Amritsar Pashchim Express and the New Delhi-Amritsar Intercity Express were delayed by more than an hour.

The late running of trains on most of the routes in the region has disrupted the travel plans of several people, especially members of the business community and professionals.

Sudhir Chawla, an executive with a local export house, said he had got his reservation in the Shatabdi Express for tomorrow cancelled due to uncertainty. "I would rather go to Delhi by road this evening (a day ahead) for a meeting with a client, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon," he said.

Ludhiana, January 6
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is suffering as MC employees have been asked to carry out a survey regarding the Atta-Dal Scheme of the state government. It is for the first time that they have been asked to carry out this survey within the municipal limits. The survey is being conducted to verify the details of thousands of the beneficiaries under the scheme.

Sources said the survey, which was to be completed by December 31 last year, started after the deadline was over as lists were sent to the MC offices by the Deputy Commissioner's office a few days before the deadline expired.

A large number of MC employees were deputed for the survey as the Atta-Dal Scheme is the flagship scheme of the state government.

Requesting anonymity, a senior MC official said a decision to allot the work of the verification survey to the MC was taken during a meeting on December 24. “We were sent the lists a couple of days before the deadline ended and it took us a few days to sort these properly. We were earlier asked to complete the survey and prepare lists of roughly more than 50,000 beneficiaries by January 5. However, only around 70 per cent of the work has been completed so far as each beneficiary has to be verified personally by the staff,” said the official.

Another senior MC official said almost the entire staff in all four zones was deputed for this survey. “At the time the MC staff were asked to carry out this survey, they were already busy with work relating to the filing of property tax returns. To ensure that this survey gets completed at the earliest, we are taking the services of executive engineers, SDOs, junior engineers and other staff. City residents are suffering because all of us are busy with this survey and the preparation of lists,” said the official.

MC Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said the district administration had asked the MC to carry out the survey regarding the Atta-Dal Scheme. “I admit it's a time-consuming job, but being government officials, it’s our duty to assist the government in such jobs.”

I admit it's a time-consuming job, but being government officials, it’s our duty to assist the government in such jobs.

Rahul Tiwari, MC Commissioner

Ludhiana, January 6
Despite awareness created by the government and NGOs, several drug addicts have overlooked the damage caused by used and infected syringes. As many as 77 drug addicts contracted HIV from infected needles they used to inject sedatives in their veins.

They are undergoing treatment at the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana.

The addicts came to know about the infection when they were brought to the OST centre for drug de-addiction. When employees of the centre examined their blood samples, they found the infection.

As many as 37 addicts have lost their lives due to HIV and tuberculosis caused by injecting infected syringes from 2010 to 2013.

Dr SS Dhir, in charge of the OST centre, said 531 addicts had been receiving treatment for drug de-addiction at the centre since 2010.

He said the addicts disclosed that they used to inject sedatives in their veins, besides taking sedative pills and capsules. Some addicts used bizarre techniques to sedate themselves. Some of them used to soak dirty socks in water and then drink the water, lick pain relief ointment, eat lizard's tail and consume opium and poppy husk.

He said most of the addicts who came for treatment to the centre were in the 18 to 32 age group. These addicts were introduced to drugs by their friends.

“The reason behind the HIV infection among addicts is the use of infected needles. The government has established OST centers in Khanna, Phillaur, Moga, Ferozepur, Morinda, Patiala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Batala," said the district programme officer, Dr US Sooch.

Ludhiana, January 6
The arrest of an alleged jilted lover, Baniya, has given a new twist to the case of 16- year-old Puja, who had set herself on fire outside her shanty on Pahowal Road on January 3.

Baniya, who was arrested yesterday, has stated to the police that the girl had attempted to commit suicide after being thrashed by her parents.

He claimed that he had neither set the girl on fire nor was he at her house when the incident took place. Baniya alleged that the girl had given a statement under pressure from her mother.

He said Puja's mother was misleading the police by stating that her daughter was a minor.

He claimed that Puja was 18 years old. Her parents were against their "relations" and thrashed Puja, following which she poured kerosene and set herself on fire in front of her parents, claimed Baniya.

The victim is undergoing treatment after suffering 25 per cent burns.

The girl's parents have termed the allegations baseless. Puja's mother alleged that Baniya, son of Putti Lal, who also lives in a shanty on Pakhowal Road, along with his accomplice, overpowered her daughter and threw kerosene on her. Baniya then set the girl on fire and fled from the spot along with his accomplice. Residents of the area came to her rescue. They doused the fire and took her to the hospital.

The accused was today produced before a court, which remanded him in judicial custody.

Ludhiana, January 6
Residents were in for a treat today from a city bakery which offered a free cake to those whose birthday fell today. The free cakes were offered as it was the bakery owner's birthday today.

Free cakes were given to 90 residents who share their birthday with Nik Baker's owner Nikhil Mittal.

He had launched the bakery in Chandigarh seven years ago, and later opened outlets elsewhere.

Shemina, who came to celebrate her uncle's birthday today, said it was an interesting concept. She said she was happy to get a free cake and celebrate her uncle's birthday at the bakery outlet.

Meanwhile, talking about the changing taste of people, Nikhil said over the years, people had become more aware about bakery products. "This is a good sign for the evolution of good taste as people have now started appreciating world cuisines and innovations we make," he said.

He said the innovations were inspired by "various cuisines from different parts of the world as much as from products that were developed from completely new ideas".

"Thanks to the changing tastes of people and the growing awareness due to which they keep giving suggestions regarding new products, we keep adding new items to the menu," Nikhil said. 

Ludhiana, January 6
Residents of Sant Vihar, along with activists of the CPI, staged a dharna outside the Haibowal police station against alleged police inaction.

Nearly 100 people, led by Arun Mitra and Gurnam Singh Sidhu, squatted in front of the police station and demanded the arrest of five persons who were evading arrest since August last year.

Gurnam Singh alleged that a youth, Sidharth, of Sant Vihar was thrashed by his in-laws and their accomplices five month ago.

"The police are succumbing to political pressure as the culprits are residents of Bholath, Bibi Jagir Kaur's constituency. The Haibowal SHO had registered a case after a delegation of CPI leaders met ADCP-III Joginder Singh. No further action has been taken since then and the culprits are roaming free," said Gurnam Singh.

The victim, Sidharth, said soon after the marriage, his wife levelled allegations of dowry harassment against him.

"The matter was resolved. It was decided that a policeman will accompany my in-laws when they visit my house. Instead of being accompanied by a policeman, my in-laws came along with goons. They attacked me and other members of the family and ransacked the house," alleged Sidharth.

Amarjit Singh, SHO, Haibowal, said efforts were on to nab the culprits and they would held soon.

It is learnt that the dharna was lifted following an assurance given by ADCP-III Joginder Singh.

Doraha, January 6
The Marxist Communist Party of India (United) today lashed out at the Centre and the state government for ‘unjustified, unfounded and baseless’ hike in the rates of domestic LPG, petrol and diesel. In a statement issued to the press, its members have condemned the increase in the prices of domestic LPG, petrol and diesel, thus burdening the common man and facilitating huge profits to the oil companies of the country.

“The rise in the prices of these commodities will compound the problems of the poor. The price rise will further hit the country’s economy,” said rued Pawan Kumar Kaushal, secretary, State Committee, MCPI(U).

The MCPI (U) has demanded the rollback in the price rise and withdrawal of the government's policy on decontrol of domestic LPG, petrol and diesel.

The party said Adhaar cards should not be made mandatory for the purpose of getting subsidy as per the Supreme Court decision. “Second, the subsidy must be given in cash instead of through banks as the consumer has to pay Rs 30 or 40 more in the form of VAT. Is it possible for a daily wage earner on one hand to make rounds of the banks to enquire about the subsidy and on the other strive hard to get day's meals?” he said.

“The governments at all levels are just looting the common man and making him a pauper, who is unable to meet his daily requirements and dies in penury,” said Pawan Kumar Kaushal.

Ludhiana, January 6
The Minority Morcha, a wing of the BJP, burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh near Subhani Building Chowk in protest against the statement made by him that Narendra Modi's coming to power as PM would be disastrous for the country.

Nafees Ahmed Ansari, district president of the Minority Morcha, said: "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement was not appropriate." District president of the BJP Parveen Bansal said Manmohan Singh should have respected the seat of PM before making such a statement. "It doesn't behove a person sitting on the chair of PM to make such statements against anyone," said Bansal. Rather than making such statements, the PM should introspect how much development of the country has he carried out, Bansal said. Narendra Modi rather has transformed the state of Gujarat, as a model of development. The PM should not have made such statement, he said. 

Ludhiana, January 6
An art exhibition titled "Shades 2 Life" was organised in the city today.

Amateur artist Jessica Arora, who is the person behind the exhibition, believes that an artist has the skill right from his or her birth and one can only better ones skills with formal training. She said she learnt art mostly on her own. She works in different media, but likes working with oil and charcoal pastels, in addition to acrylics.

A young artist, Jessica took to painting after she came back from Singapore, having completed her MBA. After painting her imagination and thoughts on canvas, she held a solo exhibition in the city.

Most of her works are based on abstract concepts. One of her paintings suggests that there is a need to preserve and use the learnings gained through experiences in life. "Since childhood, we read a lot and grow up reading. But many people forgot what they have learnt in life without making any use of it. We should try to preserve what we learn in our day-to-day life and from books, etc," she says.

A painting depicts the leaning of the human mind towards the five evils. The mind has been depicted as a magnet, that is attracted towards the five evils.

Jagraon, January 6
A public convention, organised by SAD legislator from Mullanpur Dakha Manpreet Singh Ayali against the evil of drug addiction at the Dakha Grain Market, turned out to be a unique effort in many terms. Several prominent personalities from different sections of society expressed their views about the problem of drug abuse that has reached alarming proportions in the state.

The leaders of various parties, including the Congress, also attended the convention and promised to join hands and make collective efforts to rid the state of the menace of drug addiction.

The AIG (Intelligence), Ludhiana, Gurpreet Singh Toor, spoke about various reasons behind the spread of drug abuse. "Punjabi music and films are also contributing to the menace of drug addiction. The youth gets hooked to alcohol after being encouraged by certain Punjabi songs and films promoting consumption of alcohol," said Toor, terming the consumption of alcohol a beginning in drugs abuse.

Renowned academician Sarabjit Singh said the use of drugs improved the health of sick while their abuse degrades health. "There is a need for increasing book culture among the youth and creating a positive atmosphere by providing maximum employment opportunities to him and changing the thinking of the whole society," he said.

"Countries like the US and China had also faced similar problems in the past but the people of those countries fought against drugs and emerged victorious. Now, similar kind of efforts are needed in Punjab. Teachers play the most important role in educating the young generation," he added.

Manpreet Ayali appealed to people to join hands with him in stopping the menace of drug addiction. "I have never patronised any person involved in criminal activities. Village panchayats and sports clubs also hold utter importance in controlling the menace of drug abuse. The panchayats should cooperate with the Police Department in checking drug peddling because the government and administration can do nothing without the cooperation of the public," said Ayali while pledging to make Mullanpur Dakha free from drugs.

Ludhiana, January 6
Weather experts have predicted a dip in minimum temperature and rise in the humidity level will result in dense fog tomorrow morning. The Agro Meteorology Department at Punjab Agricultural University recorded the minimum temperature at 3.2 degree Celsius and 97 per cent morning humidity. The maximum temperature of the day was 17.2 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile, the city witnessed cold wave conditions due to snowfall on the mountains.

Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill, meteorologist at the PAU, said the foggy weather will continue for the next 48 hours. The sun will be partially visible tomorrow. The weather will again improve during weekends. According to the forecast, the maximum temperature can rise after 48 hours. The western disturbance can change the weather trends in the weekends.

According to the agro meteorology expert, continuing frost will affect vegetable crops, specially potato. It has advised to farmers to set up a polythene shield on the north-west side of the field to protect the potato crop from cold wave. They can also protect the crop by covering it with stubble.

Ludhiana, January 6
Despite strict action by the police against the sale of plastic string, people and birds continue to fall prey to the dangerous thread. A youth and an eagle were injured plastic thread-related mishaps.

Vipan Bhatia, president of the Pakshi Sewa Samiti, said an eagle was injured after it got entangled in a plastic string. The string caused a four-inch-deep deep cut on one of its wings.

The eagle was spotted hanging with a string at Chander Nagar. Raju, who spotted the eagle, informed Vipan. A team of the Pakshi Sewa Samiti reached the place and rescued the bird. Vipan said soon they would hand over the eagle to the Tiger Safari authorities.

Vipan said a youth, identified as Vinod Kumar (25), suffered a five-inch long cut on his neck. — TNS

Jagraon, January 6
Renowned eye surgeon Sukhjeevan Kakkar has been posted as Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the local Civil Hospital.

After taking charge, Dr Kakkar said he would try to provide best- possible health facilities to residents.

“I would try to improve the health services and would work to control various diseases from spreading.

Keeping people away from diseases would be my first priority,” he said.

Prior to his promotion, Sukhjeevan Kakkar served as an eye specialist surgeon at the local Civil Hospital.

He remained associated with the hospital.

After joining the hospital in 2002, he served local residents for more than six years.

He was transferred from Jagraon to Raikot in 2008 where he served for around five years.

Sukhjeevan Kakkar was again posted at Jagraon around four months ago as Senior Medical Officer.

Ludhiana, January 6
In the present tussle between the Education Department and teachers, students seem to be the worst sufferers.

The department demoted the teachers who were promoted as lecturers from the master cadre about two years ago. They have been struggling to get back their lost self-esteem.

The datesheets of PSEB Classes X and XII exams have been announced but in the absence of interest being taken by the “demoted” teachers, the study of students are going to be affected.

About 600 teachers, teaching various subjects at different stations, were demoted by the department following certain discrepancies. Taking little interest in their work, they are trying their best that they should not be asked to leave the stations or present postings.

At the same time, they are busy convening meetings, registering protests and agitations, taking little interest in the studies of the students.

It is a crucial time for the students of Classes X and XII as they have to appear for board examinations from March 1 and 10 onwards, respectively.

Parveen Kumar, general secretary of the Government School Teachers’ Union, here, said when teachers were not in their normal state of mind they were bound to take less interest in the routine school affairs.

“How can you expect them to be normal till their fate hangs in balance. They have been demoted unnecessarily while it is the officials, who are at fault. January and February are the months in which a revision of the syllabus is done by the students. If the teachers will not take interest, the students are bound to suffer as in government schools, attendance is marked till the last day before exams and students do not sit at home and prepare for exams. The department should have kept everything in mind before taking such a step as in the absence of teachers, they will be at the receiving end,” Kumar said.

One of the teachers, an English lecturer, said he was in no mood to go to school. My job and career is at stake and I am more worried about that,” he added.

Ludhiana, January 6
Taking an initiative to deliver knowledge of the Punjabi language, culture, literature and heritage of Punjab to children of non-resident Indians (NRIs) and students of other states, Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) has offered a short-term course.

A course on ‘Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabism’ has been started to teach the students about Punjab and its culture by the Agriculture Journalism, Languages and Culture Department of the PAU.

The duration of the course will be 14 days and there must be 20 students to start the course. As per the university authorities, the course would start from January 13.

Jagdish Kaur, a professor at the Agriculture Journalism, Languages and Culture Department, said the department had initiated the course for children of NRIs, who often demand to start a course to make the former aware about their roots and the rich culture of Punjab.

It will also help foreign students and students from other states in the university. Students having matriculation as qualification can get enrol themselves in the course.

The fees for the course will be Rs 2,500. For those students who want the hostel facility the fees will be Rs 10,000.

Dr Jagdish said the students would be taken to historical places like Amritsar and other such places and museums.

Dr RS Sidhu, Dean, College of Basic Sciences, PAU, said: “A number of NRIs approached us to initiate such a course. In January, several NRIs visit Punjab, along with their families. Hence, it is a right time to start the course.”

Ludhiana, January 6
A two-year-old girl was crushed to death while a car driver was reversing the vehicle at Salem Tabri here last night.

The driver has been identified as Beant. He has been booked under Section 304-A of the IPC for reckless driving causing death.

The victim has been identified as Honey, daughter of a tenant living in Beant's house.

The incident took place last evening when Beant was taking out the car and reversing the vehicle.

He did not notice Honey and the girl was run over by the car. 

Ludhiana, January 6
Trainees of the Rose Rock Taekwondo Gym, Jalandhar Bypass, gave a stupendous performance to secure the runners-up trophy at the International Martial Art Championship in Navi Mumbai recently.

Pawan Tomar, director of the gym who accompanied the team, said: "While the team Korean Tigers from South Korea mesmerised everyone by their awesome martial arts display to bag the top honours, players from the city too gave an impressive performance to fetch the second position besides a cash prize of Rs 50,000."

Players from the city clinched 18 medals including eight gold, five silver and as many bronze medals. Damandeep Kaur, a student of Master Tara Singh Memorial Girls College, bagged two gold medals and one silver medal, while in the boys’ section, Himanshu Verma of Evershine School won two gold medals and helped the team finish as the runners-up.

Nazir Ali of Lucky Senior Secondary School won a gold medal and also secured the award of best performer in his age group. Rachit Verma of Green Land School and Akash Verma of GMT Public School bagged one gold and one silver medal each.

Other medal winners were Mohan Deep, Neeraj Sharma, Sonu Paswan, Sahibjit Singh, Parkash Bral, Vijay Kumar, Timsy and Deepika.

Ludhiana, January 6
Office-bearers of Punjab Throwball Association were present at the railway station as the state teams departed for Delhi to compete in 36th Senior National Throwball Championship from January 8 to 11.

The girls’ team includes Gurpreet Kaur, Simran Jaiswal, Shikha, Manu, Shivani, Monika, Anjali, Gurpreet, Simran Kaur, Anuradha, Sonia, Tamanna and Shivali. Arvinder Kaur is accompanying the team as coach.

The boys’ team includes Balwinder, Somdev, Deepak, Shiva, Sonu Mal, Pardeep Singh, Sampuran Pandey, Ashwani, Gulshan, Navneet Singh, Jagjeet, Sachin and Varinder Sandhu. Rajwinder has been named the coach.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 6
The annual rural sports meet at Kila Raipur will take place from January 30 to February 2.

The announcement was made by the Grewal Sports Association, Kila Raipur, after a meeting of the office-bearers recently.

Various committees have been constituted to ensure smooth conduct of the mega event, popularly known as Mini-Olympics.

Gursandeep Singh Sunny and Balwinder Singh Jagga, president and secretary of the association respectively, said folk artistes from various parts of the state besides from Rajasthan, Haryana and Himachal Pardesh would exhibit their talent on all the four days of the sports festival.

Bullock-cart races, Bhagwant Memorial Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, dog races, horse races, tractor races, kabaddi and athletics will be the major attractions of the rural festival. — OC

Khanna, January 6
A 20-member team from Punjab will participate in National Karate Championship at Tal Katora Stadium in New Delhi from January 24 to 28.

Over 120 karate players from all over Punjab participated in the trials held at Khanna. Of these, 20 players were selected for the senior boys’ and girls’ team.

Coach of the team and general secretary, Punjab Karate Champion Association, Rajesh Joshi said that seven of the players belonged to Khanna alone.

They include Simmi Batta, Pooja Rani, Harman, Dolly and Shivani Sharma from girls’ section and Mohit Malhotra and Gurinder Singh from boys’ section.

While Mohit will lead the boys, Shivani will be the captain of girls’ team. — OC