The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Govt puts brakes on PRTS system GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 The state government's ambitious Personal Rapid Transport System (PRTS) appears to have been put on the back burner as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal stated that the only company that had come forward to execute the project had doubtful credibility. Besides, the government seems to be in no mood to antagonise traders and other sections which are up in arms against the project ahead of the Lok Sabha poll. The Deputy Chief Minister had laid the foundation stone of the PRTS adjacent to Hall Gate amid much fanfare in December 2011, but the project could not move an inch from the drawings till date. The proposal was to introduce 200 magnetic self-driven pods which were to run on 20-foot elevated guideways in the holy city. The idea was to ferry between 50,000 to 75,000 passengers daily and the network would have connected mainly the railway station, the bus stand and the Golden Temple with a tentative fare between Rs 40 and Rs 50 per seat. The system was projected to be completed by 2015 with private financing on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis. Tejinder Kaur, chairperson of Punjab Infrastructure Regulatory Authority (PIRA), had conducted the hearing session of objections in Amritsar in February 2013 and had announced that the civil part of the project would start by June. Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) invited fresh bids earlier last year through an advertisement dated February 22, 2013, while the last date for receiving the bids was April 26, which was later extended till May 21. The project appeared to be on track after the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) received an "unsolicited" proposal from ULTra Fairwood India Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture of Fairwood and UK based ULTra (Urban Light Transport) group, which has introduced magnetic pods at Heathrow Airport, but it got delayed after the heritage lovers raised objections that it would eclipse the view of the holy city's significant landmarks like the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple. Subsequently, the government changed the route plan from the railway station to the Golden Temple. Similarly, the residents had raised queries whether the path built for the pods would leave an impact on the ventilation and sunlight in their residential buildings adjoining the route or impinge on their privacy. During his visit yesterday, the Deputy Chief Minister said the PRTS system had taken a back seat because of some technical flaws. "We have to study the company's credibility before finalising anything. Officials have been deputed to monitor this aspect and find a way out. It is a time-consuming exercise, but we are on the job to resolve the problems in implementing this project in Amritsar," he stated. The Urban Light Transport PRT (the mode chosen for Amritsar) is basically a four to six-seater driverless, battery-powered, laser-guided vehicle with a central control system known as a magnetic pod that uses rubber wheels running on an elevated guide way. It is like a personal taxi, which is demand-responsive to a commuter.
	Lohri celebrated with traditional fervour Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 Festival of Lohri was celebrated with traditional fervour by local residents, various social organisations, educational institutes and others. Tradition has it that couple wed on Lohri and children born on this festival are welcomed with much fervour and zeal. Close relatives give costly gifts to the couple and newly born. At night, a camp fire is lit at each household while eatables associated with the festival like gachak, til (sesame seed), popcorns, peanuts, sweatmeats, bhugga, khajur and others are served. Kite flying is another popular practice widely followed in the city to celebrate the festival. Kite shops were specially decked up to attract the maximum number of customers. Enthusiastic kite flyers along with music systems perched atop their house to enjoy kite flying amidst loud music. The practice has become widespread but it is flayed as it disturbs immediate surroundings. Similarly, use of China-made string to fly kites was flayed as it injures people, birds and animals. Meanwhile, Lohri was celebrated in an artistic style at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) where a pictorial presentation of art work marked the celebrations. An illustrated lecture on "Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the Court of Lahore" was also arranged apart from the traditional celebration on the festival of winter. The lecture highlighted an exhibition of original paintings and engravings from the 19th century which depict the Lahore Darbar of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A unique feature on display of this presentation were the images of foreigners, French, Italian and Hungarian, who served under the Maharaja and their significant role in the Punjab kingdom. The programmes were presided over by IAFA President Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina. He said the exhibition was originally mounted by the Sikh Foundation of Canada at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. The main speaker during the lecture was BS Lally Marwahas who had a distinguished professional career in Canada and had taught at the University of Toronto. He now serves on the board of a provincial government agency, in Toronto. Later a cultural programme was presented for the audience. The singer was Dr Tejinder Ada, who is a PhD in music and is a lecturer in the Music Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, who sang songs in consonance with the Lohri celebrations. A programme was presented by Punjabi film actress Charoo Kapoor wherein she sang a ghazal as well acted in it. Karamjit Singh Mundri and Harinder Singh Sohal also regaled the audience with Punjabi Lohri music. Similarly, the festival was celebrated with fervour at Khalsa College for Women today. The festivities highlighted the need for girl education which will finally lead to emancipation of women in society. He along with the Principal, Dr Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, and other staff members ignited the fire and girl students presented atraditional dance to the tunes of folk songs. Dr.Mahal said that as per the tradition of the College the Lohri was celebrated with enthusiasm and they made it a point that the inherent message of stressing upon the girls education was aired at this occasion. The staff members and students were present in a large number. In a separate function held at Global Institutes, its students celebrated Lohri by presenting a colourful cultural programme and delighted everyone present on the campus. Institute Chairman Dr BS Chandi lighted the sacred fire, groups of boys and girls chanted traditional a song associated with the festival "sunder munderiye." Visibly jubilant Vice-Chairman Dr Akashdeep Singh applauded the joyous spirit in which all students and members of the staff and the management celebrated the festival which linked them to their cultural roots.
	Chinese string claims life, admn issues directions to curb its sale GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 The administration’s move to discourage the sale of Chinese string for kite flying proved a futile exercise. A 60-year-old man lost his life after getting entangled in the string in the Chehharta area. The victim has been identified as Bhuma Singh, a resident of Baba Deep Singh Colony. According to information, Bhuma Singh was riding a motorcycle near Khandwala when he got entangled in a loose Chinese kite string, leading to imbalance. His head struck against the road divider. He was taken to the hospital by some passers-by, but the doctors declared him brought dead. This was not the first instance. A few weeks ago, a 14-year-old boy of Batala road was badly injured by this string. His neck was slit leaving him with at least eight stitches. All such instances have been hitting the news headlines repeatedly despite the fact that to discourage the sale of the string for kite flying, the district administration has launched several drives and lodged FIRs against those who are in the trade of this fatal string. Today also, the B-division police have booked two persons, identified as Ashish Kumar and Ishant Arora, both sons of Pardip Kumar of Katra Khajana under Section 188 of the IPC, but later on they were released on bail, said ASI Parjit Singh of A-division police station. The administration has come out with a fresh directive, warning to book not only those selling it but also the people who are using it. Yet, the sale of the string continues unabated despite the administration's ban. Kite flying is a rage among the Punjabis, especially on the occasion of Lohri and Basant Panchmi. It has been learnt that very high-stake bets are fixed between the parties. The winner would be the one who survived with his kite in the air. Therefore, they do not leave any chance to bow down before their opponents, no matters how dangerous its repercussions would be. They prefer the kite strings, made up of stretchable plastic substance coated with “glass-masala” (powder). These kite strings, which invade the skies, especially during the festival season, pose a grave threat to the lives of human beings as well as birds. Clarifying the orders, Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said, “The police department and related civil officials have been directed to initiate legal proceedings against the persons who use this lethal string while flying the kite. The FIR will be lodged against such persons on the spot if they are adult. In case the offender happened to be a minor, then similar action will be taken against his parents," he said. “This menace could not be controlled until the users refrain from it. I appeal to the parents to discourage their wards from using this string. It is the moral duty of the residents to help the administration in stopping its use," he added.
	Health Department website not being updated regularly Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 The official website of the Health Department is not being updated regularly as a result of which officials who have retired from the service are still being mentioned as serving Civil Surgeon of the district. Dr Yash Mitra, former Civil Surgeon had retired from the service around two months ago. Even as Dr Usha Bansal had joined as new Civil Surgeon in the district, her name does not finds any mention at the website of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. At another website, www.pbnrhm.org, Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa's name is still there in the list of Civil Surgeons in the state. Dr Randhawa had retired from the service more than a month ago and since then the district has seen three different Civil Surgeons. After Dr Randhawa's retirement Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai was made the acting Civil Surgeon. A few months later Dr Yash Mitra was appointed as new Civil Surgeon. On Dr Mitra's retirement, Dr Usha Bansal is working as Civil Surgeon. Even Dr Bagh Mal, who was recently elevated as Director of ESI Corporation still finds mention as Medical Superintendent of the local ESI hospital. Local Health Department officials said the website was being managed by the headquarters and they could ask them to include the names of the current officials. However, local residents feel that the website should be updated regularly so that people can get correct information. "What, if you want to report something to the Civil Surgeon? Based on the information in the website you would end up calling the wrong person," said Satinderjit Singh Bal, a local resident.
	Baby girls gifted toys Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 A function to celebrate Lohri of girl children was organised at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital here today. During the function, which was attended by senior officials, Civil Surgeon Dr Usha Bansal gifted toys to nearly 22 newborn girls at the hospital recently. Dr Bansal said the function was organised to spread the message that male and female children were equal. “So far Lohri was celebrated to celebrate the birth of a male child. However, a change is fast coming and people now should love each and every child,” she said. The Civil Hospital’s SMO, Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon, said the families were happy to see the department taking an interest in their families. “The people, who are still staying at the hospital, will have otherwise no chance to celebrate the festival.” He said the celebrations cheered the patients. Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Balwinder Kakkar was also present on the occasion.
	One dies in road mishap Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 A pedestrian lost his life after getting hit by a speeding truck this morning near his home. The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Joginder Singh, a resident of Gali Hatim Tai, Gate Hakima. Even as the driver fled after abandoning the truck (PB-05-P 8719), he was later arrested by the police. He has been identified as Gijja Singh, a resident of Khadoor Sahib. The instance occurred near Gate Hakima area when the victim tried to cross the road but was run over by a truck. Gate Hakima SHO Manjit Singh said a case under Section 304-A had been registered and the driver was in police custody.
	Better amritsar chaos on roads Admn must reform BRT system: Residents Neha Saini Teibune News Service Amritsar, January 13 Continuing with the series on lack of planned public transport system and proposed Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) system in city from January 15, which promises to unload the city roads off by at least 30-40 per cent, the residents speak out about the opinions, anticipation and doubts about the latest public transport facilities being introduced. BRT system is no solution “Though a public transport system for hassle-free ride through the city is required, the BRT system doesn’t really provide a solution to the problem. The city roads already are packed to the capacity. Let alone buses drive down the road. Buses also do not provide a solution to those travelling to and from inside the walled city areas, which are too congested. The initial routes covered are the ones situated at peripheries like Dburji, cherhrta, Attari-Wagah border etc. But let’s hope it paves way for a proper public transit system in city for now. How can Bhandari Bridge, which is already bearing maximum traffic burden take more with these buses running along, if the other traffic is not diverted? Bhuvan Arjun, Businessman, Hall Bazaar A welcome move “An efficient public transport system is indeed welcome and the city shall definitely embrace this endevaour. However, 40 buses running in the first phase can only be termed as beginning since the need of the hour is perhaps manifold. Also, the solution for the last mile travel within congested walled city will need to streamline energy-efficient small transport as buses are not a viable option. This is imperative to stall the present day pollution by tens of thousands of auto-rickshaws.” GunBir Singh, Businessman Encroachments biggest problem “The problem with the public transport in the city is not just lack of management but encroachments, which have eaten away roads. This can sabotage the bus rapid transport system as well if not taken care of by the authorities. While buses will definitely provide some respite on road for those, who do not wish to travel by their own conveyance. It still needs to be seen whether the system will function without any limitations.” Sumit Khanna, GNDU student Proper management is required “My only concern is for the hundreds of autorickshaw drivers, who will be rendered out of job, once the BRT system comes into existence. Though, travelling from walled city will still need two or three wheelers as there is no room for buses inside the walled lanes. But management is the word.” Geeta Sharma, Government teacher Educate people about it “One has to educate people about the transit system as well, since city residents prefer travelling by their own conveyance. The initial routes covered by the BRT system do not extend to all areas. And to make it efficient, the administration will have to make specific stoppages and bus stands for easy accessibility from all possible routes. Also, engineering proper roads for smooth running of buses should be the priority.” Lalit Saini, Textile professional
	Parked vehicles create traffic bottlenecks Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 Private travel and taxi transporters operating from outside Hathi Gate are posing a grave risk to the commuters, as these operators park vehicles on the roadside and even outside the cremation ground. Comparatively, ample wide stretch between Hathi Gate and Lohgarh Gate has been regularly experiencing traffic mess due to careless parking of vehicles by these operators. A vigilant resident, GS Bedi, said the problem had reached such a passé that these travel operators parked their vehicles on the space between roundabout and the divider, which falls opposite to the entrance of the Shivpuri, cremation ground. “I happened to visit the cremation ground to express my condolences over the demise of a known person. I was pained to see that a mini bus size vehicle, interior of which was changed to carry the body for cremation, had a tough time to negotiate the turn due to wrong parking of vehicles,” said Bedi. It is blatant violation of traffic rules with impunity by these operators, who turned their back after adding to the problems of the commuters. Nirmal Singh, a resident of Katra Charat Singh, said, “It used to be a break free stretch a couple of years back. However, looking at the wide road, a large number of tour travel and taxi operators opened their offices here. Instead of hiring an open place to park their vehicles these operators are parking their vehicles on both sides of the road as there are no houses over it.” He said it was strange that the authorities allowed any kind of shop to be opened in the city without ensuring that there was enough space. Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the MC land cannot be utilised for parking vehicles barring designated spaces. He said violators could be challaned, vehicles impounded and fine could be levied. He said the MC would launch encroachment removal campaign since the city bus service was to start soon. The Commissioner said he would personally monitor removal of all the traffic bottlenecks created by parked vehicles on roadside.
	Where people are not happy with the name of their village Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 13 While most Punjabis take pride in taking the name of their village and many even use it as their last name, residents of a village, falling in Adampur block, rather avoid using it. Claiming that they are always looked with suspicion in various government offices in India and abroad, residents of Lutera Khurd village have rather been seeking a change of name of their village for the past two years. A resident of the village and an NRI Virinder Singh Parhar, said, “There are just about 325 voters in our village and as many as 200 of them are in the USA or Canada. I, too, worked all my life abroad. There, whenever anyone asked me as to which village I belonged to, I felt a little ashamed to tell its name. After I told them, they used to keep suspecting me of some foul play or malafide intention, thinking that I came from a village of looters. This feeling has really pained me. Coming back two years ago, I moved an application for the change of the name of my village as Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Nagar.” He shares the history of his village, “Ours is a 500-year-old village which was founded by Muslim community that moved to Pakistan during the Partition. My father has also written a book on the village, which indicates that the sixth Sikh guru Guru Hargobind had come here and fought against the then rulers. Dr Mohammad, an erstwhile Chaudhury from this village, had also visited us sometime back to see his Khangah and told us that it was a part of Sham Churasi district having 84 villages.” But that is past. Villagers want a better name to be given for which they all unanimously signed and moved an application before the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) more than two years ago, which is still making rounds in offices. The villagers say that they had also taken up the matter with MLA Adampur Pawan Tinu and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal ahead of the last Assembly polls. DDPO Avtar Singh Bhullar said his predecessor had asked the village panchayat to pass a resolution on the matter, which they did after which the file was moved from his office to the DC office. “The DC office wrongly sent the copy to the office of Director Rural Development even as it was a subject matter of the Revenue Department.
	Lohri celebrated at GNDU Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 The Department of Life Long Learning of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) celebrated the Lohri festival with fervour. Dr Inderjit Singh, Registrar, was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof Gurpreet Kaur, Director of the department, welcomed the chief guest. Kuldeep Sandhu entertained the audience with her melodious folk songs. Students of the department presented Lohri songs and dance items. Dr Inderjit appreciated the talent of students of the department. He said there should be an all round growth of students, especially girls. They should be encouraged to show their hidden talent. Programme assistant Tejpal Kaur, senior assistant Mokesh Kumar, senior assistant Varinderdeep Singh, DDC&T instructor Paramjeet Kaur, instructor Gursharan Kaur, cosmetology instructor Devika Kumari, computer applications instructors Rubina Sayal and Nidhi Sharma, fashion technology instructor Deepika were also present on the occasion.
	Keeping alive tradition of cooking ‘Rauh di kheer’ Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 Keeping alive the tradition of cooking ‘Rauh di kheer’, the city residents’ thronged stalls, which were selling sugarcane juice today. The rates of per litre cane juice remained high to an unusual Rs 20 per litre. Long queues of residents waiting for their turn at all sugarcane juice stalls were seen from the early morning. Even local entrepreneurs had set up more number of booths to cash the opportunity. “We have ordered two trolleys of sugarcane just for today. Previous year we had only one and were done by afternoon,” said Balwinder Singh, a local farmer, who had set up a stall on Batala Road especially for the occasion. Gyan Singh, a senior citizen and resident of Batala Road said, “The Lohri celebrations are not complete without the cooking of kheer. There is an old saying about the tradition of kheer. Poh ridhi, magh khadi (Cooked in the month of Poh and eaten in the month of Mag. Lohri is celebrated on last day of the month of Poh).” Another resident Kultar Singh said, “The price of juice increases as the day passes by. It was around Rs 12 per litre in the morning and had reached Rs 15 by mid-day,” adding that as children celebrated Lohri by flying kites, the elders still felt there could be no better way to celebrate the festival than by sticking to the tradition.
	Cooks resent outsourcing of mid-day meal to NGO Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 13 The outsourcing of mid-day meal in parts of the holy city by the Education Department to the BPB Club, an NGO, has sent already hired cooks in a tizzy as they apprehend losing their jobs. The NGO has opened a kitchen at Maqboolpura Chowk on GT Road to supply freshly cooked meals to around 50,000 students of nearly 250 schools in five blocks of the city and a block of Verka. Cooks hired in these schools serve these meals to students. The NGO is preparing meals as per the chart issued by the government. Meals are cooked as per a steam cooking system to keep the nutrient value intact. “A six kettle fitted one and a half ton boiler has been installed for cooking meals,” said kitchen in charge Hardeep Kumar. Working of a kettle was similar to cooker in which rice, cereals and vegetables were cooked for around 1,500 children at a time, he added. He said actual capacity of the boiler was to accommodate 12 kettles at a time, which would be installed soon. The NGO is getting supply of wheat from a hi-tech flour mill and orders have been placed to procure chapatti making machines. Currently, as many as 14 cooks are entrusted with the task of preparing chapattis and 15 others are preparing cereals and vegetables. After cooking, packaging and transportation are other vital links, which need special care to maintain hygiene standards. Food is packed in steel containers and delivered to schools on 16 vehicles specially hired for the purpose. Packaging of food in steel container is done under the eye of an automatic digital camera to keep a vigil over hygiene conditions. CCTV cameras are also installed in the room, where around 25 women employees weed out unwanted material from grains, cereals and rice. The Mid-day Meal Workers Union has questioned the move of outsourcing the cooking to an NGO. The union apprehended that 800 cooks engaged in preparing mid-day-meal in over 250 schools falling in the MC limit faced an uncertain future. Thousands of students from Class I to VIII have their mid-day meal under a Central government scheme. Each primary school is paid Rs 4.08 per student and secondary school gets Rs 4.65 per student. Questioning the move, the Union said the government had set up kitchens in these schools with an investment of thousands of rupees, then what was the point of outsourcing the cooking work. The government incurs over Rs 1.23 crore per month to provide once-a-day meal to over 1.61 lakh students, including 1.06 lakh from primary and 55,000 from upper primary in this district. The government has arranged 1,275 LPG connections for running these kitchens. The Central assistance under the mid-day meal scheme to an upper-primary class student was Rs 5 per meal, while it was Rs 3.34 per meal to a student of the primary class. This includes cooking of ration and fuel cost. The Union Government launched the scheme, also known as the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education, on October 2 in 1995.
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