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Cable operators’ charge against firm
Dog show, wrestling
events mesmerise spectators
Assn demands hike in pension
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Farmers’ unions continue dharna
For Roshni, there seems no light at the end of tunnel
Students losing interest in science: Experts
Corps of Signals observes Raising Day
Agri summit to fuel growth: MP
BANGO to protest against hike in blood unit rates on Feb 16
School holds annual function
Feedback Singla flays AAP’s style of governance Sidhu elected president unanimously Ensure your name in voters' list, appeals ADC
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Cable operators’ charge against firm
Bathinda, February 15 Anil Behl, chairman of the Baba Farid Cable operator Union, Punjab (rural), speaking on the occasion, said recent directives of the companies to install set top boxes in Punjab will badly hit cable operators’ income in the state. Behl, accompanied by large number of cable operators from various districts, alleged that Fastway was trying to take control of television network of Punjab with the introduction of set top boxes in rural areas as well. “We have already brought the matter to the notice of the Punjab Chief Minister a few days ago, but to no avail. Now, we plan to oppose the move of Fastway against the cable operators by holding meetings and creating awareness among the people,” Behl said. He added that cable operators demand equal commission (Rs 115 per cable connection) for the rural and urban areas. At present, the commission on per cable connection in urban areas is Rs 115 and Rs 75 in the rural areas. The operators said that in the garb of implementing the TRAI ruling, the company was trying to take away the cable operators margin, which will also put extra burden on television audience in the rural areas. The cable operators claimed that initially the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was to digitise only four districts of Punjab which included Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Mohali. But now, Fastway is implementing the same in all the rural and urban areas of the state. The operators said at present more than two or three television sets in rural areas pay a fixed monthly rent to the cable operators, but after the introduction of the set top boxes they will have to pay for every television set in every household. “Earlier, the margin between cable operators and the company was shared equally (50 per cent). But after installing set top boxes we will get Rs 75 and Rs 85 per cable connection,” Anil said, adding that the company will also take Rs 25,000 as security from the cable operators. General Manger of Fastway Transmissions Private Limited when contacted said he was not aware about any meeting of the cable operators. CEO of the Fastway Piyush Mahajan expressing helplessness to comment over the issue said “Since I am not aware about the meeting of the cable operators, I could not comment over the matter.” |
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Dog show, wrestling
events mesmerise spectators
Bathinda, February 15 On the second day of the mela, the display of tableaux remained the biggest attraction of the mela through the day. Students of the Mahanta Gurbanta Dass Institute of Nursing won kudos for exhibiting the culture of the state in their ‘Trinjan’ tableau. Apart from displaying old ways of stitching and embroidering clothes at home, they also showcased the wood-fired chulha. At the ‘bhoonda wala baba’ tableau, a man dressed as a self-styled godman, skilled in exorcism and solving problems of the visitors, looked very much the part with his big black moustache and dreadlocks. Apart from showing off their well-sculpted bodies, wrestlers put up commendable fights against each other. While duals between Sangeet Singh-Raju Sirsa and Ajit-Anup Sharma were tied, Gurshwinder Singh beat Ali Nehianwala and Kaka Bathinda beat Buta Mansa in the wrestling competitions. Baji-performers also mesmerised the visitors with their dare-devil stunts and acrobat skills. The panchayat of Mainuana village, which has become the first panchayat of the district to participate in the mela, showcased the scene of a panchayat in progress as the sarpanch Kulwant Singh Wirk and members of the panchayat sat discussing issues faced by the residents of the village. A dog show, which was made a part of the mela for the first time, made many wonder how was it connected to the culture and sabhyachar of the state. However, proud owners turned up for the competition with their well-trained and groomed dogs in toe. The dhol players also brought to life the old tradition of beating dhols to celebrate a joyous occasion. As their symphony reverberated at the Jaipalgarh village, it made one wonder how technological advances changed the ways of celebrating events and rendered several unemployed. Giving in to the beats of the dhol and the live singing by the participants, some of the visitors couldn't help but give in to their instinct and danced to the music. |
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Assn demands hike in pension
Bathinda, February 15 President Darshan Singh Bajaj said there are 3.5 lakh Punjab government pensioners in the state who were fighting for their rights. "All of us are old who have to battle it out to get our demands fulfilled. At times, when we should be looked after, we are forced to be on roads," he said. The pensioners are demanding hike of medical allowance from Rs 500 per month to at least Rs 1,000 per month. In the year 2009, the state government had doubled all kind of allowances, but medical allowance was raised from Rs 350 to Rs 500 only. Similarly, as per the government rules, the Civil Surgeons were earlier designated with the powers to issue certificates for chronic illness, which after year 1995 have been delegated to the three government medical colleges in state in Faridkot, Amritsar and Patiala. General secretary Gurdev Singh Kotfatta said it was very difficult for the senior citizens to travel all the way to these medical colleges for certificates. He demanded that the civil surgeons be given powers to issue such certificates. They demanded that special allowance should be given to physically disabled pensioners so that they could lead a comfortable life even after retirement. The pensioners also demanded that instead of raising the pensions by 5 per cent after seven years, the government should increase the same at one per cent every year. Prominent among others present at the meeting included Nachhattar Singh Mann, Amar Singh Sidhu, Krishan Chand Jindal, Gurcharan Singh, Naranjan Singh, Malook Singh, Sukhwinder Dhillon, Om Prakash Sharma, Atamjot Sharma, Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Bharpur Singh Mann, Charanjit Singh and others.
— TNS |
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Farmers’ unions continue dharna
Bathinda, February 15 Farmers observed the death anniversary of those who lost their lives while fighting against the oppression of the government during farmers’ protest in Punjab. Farmers highlighting the plight of the poor farmers remember Gurmeet Singh who died at Jethuke village and Sarmukh Singh who lost his life while fighting against land acquirement in Barnala. The farmers said that four rounds of talks had failed to evoke any response to fulfill farmers’ demands and the talks ended in fiasco. State president of the BKU (Ekta-Ugraha), Joginder Singh Ugraha, state president of the Khet Mazdoor Union Jora Singh Narsali and others, including Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, Lachhman Singh Sevewala, Jhanda Singh and Ram Singh, accused the government of non-serious attitude towards sensitive demands of the poor farmers. The farmers’ leaders said that they had proposed to release compensation to the tuen of nearly Rs 70 crores to 150 families of Gobindpura (Mansa) village, which is yet not paid despite a written agreement by the government. The leaders conceded to fulfill other promises made by the government after February 17 meeting in Chandigarh with senior government officials. But since the government was bent on releasing mere
Rs 30 crores, the talks had failed. |
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For Roshni, there seems no light at the end of tunnel
Bathinda, February 15 “Several visitors will come to see the mela for three days and we are hoping to make good money and make my mother happy. We may end up with Rs 300 by the end of one day. It is like begging outside a marriage palace,” she says. Followed by her sisters Neha (10) and Nisha (10), she explains why she doesn’t beg at traffic lights. “I am scared of traffic and there’s always the risk of getting crushed under the vehicles as the light turns green. And anyway, there are so many beggars already crowding the major traffic intersections in the city,” she says and adds that begging outside malls in the city is better. Measuring the length and breadth of the city on foot is not a big deal for these sisters. “Our eldest brother, who works as a waiter at marriage palaces, tells us about weddings and other celebrations in the city. “We step out at 9.30 am and mother insists that we come back home before it gets dark. She beats us up if we get late,” says Neha. Apart from collecting money, the sisters also fend for their breakfast and lunch as they eat only dinner at home. “We beg for food at shops or in residential areas. Most of the times, there are langars where we can eat to our heart’s content,” says Nisha adding that on bad days they end up missing breakfast. “My father polishes shoes and my mother is a housewife. One of my elder sisters sells balloons while another stays at home and helps mother. They remain busy and also look after our ailing grandmother who is admitted to a hospital,” says Roshni, covering up for her mother. While Nisha has never been to a school, Roshni and Neha studied two years in a school “near the fish market”. “We studied together in school for two years and then had to drop out for the shortage of money at home. We would like to go back to school and resume studies, play like other children our age. But we don’t think that is ever going to happen. At least, we know how to read and write a little,” says Roshni. |
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Students losing interest in science: Experts
Kapurthala, February 15 This was the main focus of a panel discussion held on the second day of the Punjab Science Congress aimed at science and technology for sustainable growth, organised at the Punjab Technical University
(PTU) campus, near here today. Experts agreed that teaching science in easy language, communicating concepts effectively, making learning aids easily available, would help retain interest of students in the subject. Panelists concurred that it was important to achieve a common ground between ancient sciences and the latest scientific developments, for using science for sustainable growth and to achieve this objective. Scores of students and participants attended the Science-Expo on the second day. The YS Group of Institutes,
Barnala, put up robotic science models, Bhai Gurdas Institute, Sangrur, displayed solar grass cutters, Ryat and Bahra Group students showed automatic railway gates and Gurukul Vidyapeeth displayed aircraft design at their stalls which attracted many. In the technical sessions, Dr Raghubir Chand Gupta, Dr C
Ghanshyam, Chief Scientist, CSIO, Chandigarh, Dr Megh R Goel of the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez, Dr MS
Chauhan, Dr Prashant Sharma of the PGI, Chandigarh, Dr Amar Singh Azad, shared their experiences.
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Corps of Signals observes Raising Day
Bathinda, February 15 The Corps of Signals operates at the cutting edge of ICTEC (Information, Communications, Technology, Electronic and Cyber) and has a pan-India presence, with several ‘pioneering first’ to its credit. It is universally acknowledged for its yeoman service during the various wars imposed on independent India, participation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief response, contribution to sports and adventure and nation building activities. As it embarks upon the 104th year of its existence, the Corps remains inspired by its rich traditions, rooted in the present and aligned with the future, enabling the Indian Army’s transformation into a fully network centric force. In keeping with tradition, barakhana was organised for serving and retired JCOs/OR and their families in addition to voluntary blood donation, various sports, adventure, band display and cultural activities, all over. The celebrations culminated into a social evening attended by the Chief of Army Staff and other dignitaries of the Armed Forces, who spent time with veteran Signal Officers reminiscing moments of the glorious history of the Corps. As part of an Army wide initiative, the Corps has reached out to renew associations with disabled soldiers, widows, veer naris and aged, needy veterans. As of February 15, 2014, Signal units across India have identified and adopted over 400 such members of their extended family.
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Agri summit to fuel growth: MP
Bathinda, February 15 She called upon the state's farmers to participate in the summit in large numbers and take advantage of the exchange of ideas and get acquainted with the new policies and techniques of farming. Harsimrat was addressing people at the Sangat Darshan programme held at Dunewala village. She also conducted similar programmes at Bangi Nihal Singh Wala, Sukhlappi, Bagha, Kamalu, Kanakwal, Sekhu and Phallar villages. She distributed grants for initiating various developmental works. ADC Sonali Giri, Talwandi Sabo constituency in-charge Balvir Singh Sidhu, assistant media advisor to deputy CM Harjinder Sidhu, SGOC member Mohan Singh Bangi, SAD press secretary Om Prakash Sharma and others were also present. Talking on the issue of resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, she said Kejriwal was an expert at holding dharnas, but when it came to running the government, he became a novice who did terrible mistakes. She said that running the government was not akin to holding dharnas. Terming the hike in rates of gas from April 1 onwards, she said that the UPA government has proved to be the mother of inflation.
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BANGO to protest against hike in blood unit rates on Feb 16
Bathinda, February 15 He said voluntary blood donation was a major movement in the Malwa region where people donated blood to save lives rather than to earn money as the state government was doing. The members of BANGO have repeatedly given representations to Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, BJP state president Kamal Sharma and Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani to lodge their protest against the hike. However, all the protests had gone unnoticed and the government
had stepped over its repeated assurances of fulfilling BANGO's demands, said
Walia. As per information received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Gujarat government gives blood free of cost to the patients. BANGO
has appealed all social organisations to join the protest. |
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School holds annual function
Bathinda, February 15 In his address, Singla emphasised the need to contribute to the growth of society. He appreciated Prayaas for providing education to those who had no access to it. He also pledged to donate Rs 1 lakh to the school. The guest of honour, former IAS officer, CS Talwar, who has been a guiding force to Prayaas, talked about the work being done by Sony Goyal, founder of Prayaas, to create a better society by proving that there should be no discrimination in the dissemination of education. |
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This new mode of protest creates more problems
The continuing 'water-tank' protests (to climb atop water tanks to lodge protest) by various organisations need some introspection. The drama that follows this new mode (pseudo) of non-violent protest paralyses the district administration. Consequently, important problems that need highest order of attention stand ignored. Problems like drug menace, deteriorating law and order situation, tackling cancer, receding water table, improving health facilities and education take a back seat. The protestors manage to escape the media’s critical scanner at times due to the chaos that spreads during this new mode of protests. They should realise that if they have a grievance then they should either protest in a proper constitutional manner or else knock the doors of court with the instruments of PIL or writ petition available to them. With the current trend they will do no good to themselves or society. ARSHDEEP SINGH PANWAR, Illegal encroachments go unchecked
Bathinda: Increasing urbanisation and unbelievable high value of real estate has led to the growing menace of encroachments and illegal buildings in Bathinda. The Municipal Corporation has miserably failed to solve this problem. It has clearly exposed the nexus between bureaucrats, encroachers and builders, that works under the protection of politicians. In the markets, shopkeepers openly block footpaths by placing their goods outside their shops. Laying of building raw material or other commercial goods on roads are a big example of encroachments. Encroachment of government land by slum dwellers and land mafia goes unchecked. The anti-encroachment drives launched by the authorities from time to time are merely an eye wash. Instead, it is an exercise to mint money by adopting a pick and choose policy, sparing the powerful and punishing the weak and the poor. The Municipal authorities issue hundreds of notices to illegal buildings but action is taken only against a few and that too a cosmetic action. The Municipal authorities require only two things to make the anti-encroachment drive effective - will to do and enforcing the law strongly, especially against the powerful. But I doubt if the authorities can act beyond the powerful influence of money and politicians. Dr Vitull K Gupta,
Bathinda
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Bathinda, February 15
unanimously elected him in the presence of returning officer JR Khattar. Candidates fighting for the post of president, Gurmeet Singh and Baldev Singh Sidhu, withdrew their nominations in favour of
Sidhu. He was felicitated in the presence of Chairman, Zila Parishad, Gurpreet Singh Maluka, SGPC member Sukhdev Singh Bahia and former Mayor Baljit Singh
Birbehman. TNS
