Ludhiana, February 15
Hailstorm in the city took residents by surprise and brought cheers to many this evening. As it was witnessed in some parts of the city, the temperature took a further dip. Within seconds the ground turned white and it seemed as if it had snowed there.

The hailstorm was reported at Gill Road, Dugri, Model Town, Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Punjab Agricultural University, Rajguru Nagar, Civil Lines, besides several other parts of the city.

Commuters caught in the hailstorm had to stop their vehicles midway and take shelter.

“I got stuck in the Gill Road area. We took shelter in a shop. We have witnessed hailstorm after many years,” said Jaspal Singh, a resident of Model Town.

Once the hailstorm ended, ecstatic residents, especially children, came out of their houses and were seen playing with the hails. “It seems that it snowed in the city. My children played with the hails,” informed Satvir Kaur, a resident of Dugri.

Ludhiana, February 15
A 55-year old man, suffering from swine flu, died at DMCH last night. He was from Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, another patient from Jagraon has tested positive for the virus, he is also admitted to DMCH.

Two deaths and six confirmed cases have been reported in the city, so far. Both the deceased belonged to other states. Dr Anil Verma, district epidemiologist, said that in case of fever, cough, sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting breathlessness, chest pain, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discoloration of nails etc, the doctor should be contacted immediately. 

Ludhiana, February 15
In view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, there has been another reshuffle in the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate. Two Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCPs) have been transferred from the city, while three new ADCP -level officers have been posted in the city.

The ADCPs transferred from the city include Joginder Singh (ADCP- City 3) and Nilambari Vijay Jagadale (ADCP- City 1), while those who would be joining the city include Daljit Singh, Amrik Singh Pawar and Paramjit Singh.

Joginder Singh will now be posted as the SP (CM Security) while Nilambari Vijay Jagadale will be posted as AIG/Prov CPO, Punjab, in Chandigarh. Daljit Singh, who was the SP (City) Patiala, will now be ADCP- City 2, Amrik Singh, who was ADCP- City 2 at Amritsar will be ADCP- City 1, while Paramjit Singh, ADCP (Traffic), Jalandhar, will now be the Assistant Commandant in the Third IRB, Ludhiana.

Sources in the Police Department said that some more ADCP-level officers have been posted in the city, but this could not be confirmed till the filing of the report. 

Jagraon, February 15
The announcement made by Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party about holding a massive public rally in Rohtak (Haryana) on February 23 has maximised the challenges for the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab which is also going to hold a national level ‘Fateh Rally’ in Jagraon on the same day.

BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi along with some other senior NDA leaders and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would be addressing the Fateh Rally to be organised at Sugar Mill, Jagraon, on February 23.

But as the dates of Narendra Modi’s Jagraon rally and Aam Aadmi Party’s Haryana rally clash with each other therefore it would be a much bigger task for the alliance government to make the rally a success. Moreover, now there would be a lot of pressure on the SAD-BJP leadership of Punjab to bring in maximum number of people during the Jagraon rally.

This occasion is being seen as an opportunity to judge popularity of Narendra Modi and the Aam Aadmi Party.

If the alliance government manages to assemble a good number of people during the rally, as being claimed by the SAD-BJP leaders, it would stamp the popularity of Modi and authority of alliance government in state. But in case, the alliance government fails to make an impressive gathering during the rally, it would be seen as an impact of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Originally, Narendra Modi’s Fateh Rally in Jagraon was scheduled for December 21 last year but a few days before the rally, the state government abandoned it due to bad weather conditions and dense fog that had engulfed the whole region.

Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Congress Party, which had openly declared to oppose Narendra Modi during his Jagraon rally in December, are mum on whether to oppose Modi or not. It appears as both the parties have backtracked from the issue.

Quite interestingly, when Narendra Modi’s Jagraon rally in December was abandoned, both SAD (A) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Congress party had claimed that the rally has been abandoned out of fear of purposed resistance by their parties. Even though, only one week is left for the rally, none of these parties have given any indication of holding protest against Modi during his Jagraon rally.

Samrala, February 15
Punjab PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon today inaugurated the upgraded power house worth Rs 25 crore at Ghulal village. The sub-station grid was pgraded to 220 kV from existing 132 kV. He said Machiwara, Samrala, Sahnewal, Khamano and Ghungrali grids will benefit from the up gradation of the main grid. He said now there would be an end to the often tripping of power supply. He informed that one more transformer of 100 MVA will be set up here for better supply to remaining villages of the area. He said now the 8-hour power supply to the farmers will be an easy task.

Dhillon added from April 2014, Punjab would be a surplus state in power and all sectors would be supplied 24-hour power supply. — OC

Ludhiana, February 15
Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has shifted the examination centre for Classes X and XII from Government Senior Secondary School, Cemetery road, to Khalsa Kanya Senior Secondary School. The school management at Government Senior Secondary School wrote to the PSEB to shift the examination as the management is going to demolish the old building of the school.

Now, more than 150 students of Government Senior Secondary School will appear at the examination centre at Khalsa Kanya Senior Secondary School. The open school students of Class XII will also appear at same examination centre.

Anoop Pasi, principal of GSSS, informed that PSEB has listed the school centre for regular examinations of Class X and open examinations for Class XII. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal visited the school on February 1 and announced the up-gradation of school building. The school is now going to demolish the old building to construct new rooms.

Ludhiana, February 15
A two-day english teaching workshop for teachers was organised by Cambridge University Press in Drishti Dr RC Jain Innovative Senior Secondary Public School, Pakhowal Road, Narangwal, today.

The objective of the workshop was to enlighten the english school teachers of different schools on the RWSL skill involved in the YLE and KET/PET examinations. Resource person Anil Kumar, an ELT professional, engaged the teachers in interactive child centric activities for classroom teaching. — TNS

Ludhiana, February 15
For the first time Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, has issued instructions to all the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers to appoint ‘campus ambassadors’ in colleges of their respective districts. These ambassadors will be trained for wooing young voters in the college for encouraging them to get their votes prepared and then cast them to choose the leader of their choice. There are 53,527 voters of 18-19 years in Ludhiana district till date.

Election Tehsildar, Ludhiana, Surinder Singh Bhangu said, “The aim behind this is to encourage youngsters to cast their vote. Some young voters do not take interest in the biggest exercise of country’s democracy. So, the brand ambassadors will inspire them to do so.”

Around 18 campus ambassadors have been selected here. Rajat Aggarwal, deputy commissioner-cum-DEO, Ludhiana, said, “We will train the ambassadors in this week.”

One of the college ambassador’s Nitika Teotia, a student of MEd at Malwa Central College for Women, Ludhiana, said, “I am finding this opportunity quite interesting. Youth is becoming more aware these days. I have participated in many activities of the college and now look forward to this one.” Each of the campus ambassadors will be given an honorarium of Rs 2,000 for this work.

Ludhiana, February 15
The Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) has sought a probe from the Central Board of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged involvement of Akali leaders in drug dealing cases and selling sand on the black market.

To discuss the issue, a convention of Centre of Indian Trade Union was held at Punjabi Bhawan here today.

To press the demand for a CBI probe, communist leaders Jatinderpal Singh and Om Parkash announced a massive protest on February 20.

Centre of Indian Trade Union vice-president Tarsem Jodhan, said, “More than 15 lakh labourers earn their livelihood from working in construction fields. With the sky-rocketing prices of sand and crusher, construction work has been hit. The workers are unemployed.”

Jodhan alleged that Akali leaders had been patronising people involved in the black marketing of sand.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, communist leader Om Parkash said the policy of the Akali-BJP government ‘favoured’ the corporate sector.

Ludhiana, February 15
The sight of people listening to radio brings back old memories how the medium was a rage among the masses until a few years ago.

The advent of technology, including mass media, may have cast a shadow on its popularity over the years.

But, the radio has made a comeback in the form of internet radio.

A large number of people, particularly youngsters, listen to international radio stations and music stations on their smartphones.

People have installed internet radio apps on their smartphones and listen to various radio stations.

“I used to listen to FM sometimes but ever since I installed the internet radio app on my smartphone, I am hooked to it. It offers me the best international radio stations,” said Rohit, a student.

Music buffs are particularly excited. “The best part is that there are so many music channels dedicated to each genre,” said Sehajpreet, another student.

The available features with these apps keep the youngsters hooked.

“Some of the apps also allow you to set your favourite radio station as the morning alarm. I wake up and listen to a new radio station every morning,” said another youngster.

“Since the radio apps are available on smartphones, I listen to these everywhere I go. Whenever I am travelling or during my leisure time, the smartphone is my companion with the radio on,” said another resident.

These internet radio stations have also brought respite to those who could not access FM radio stations in the city.

“I hail from Delhi and settled in the city now. I used to miss FM channels available in Delhi. But with the internet radio apps available on smartphones, I can listen to some of the channels. Now, I can listen to various channels available online,” said Shruti, another youngster.

“I love Punjabi internet radio channels being run by the Punjabi diaspora abroad. They give us a glimpse into the world of Punjabis settled abroad. This is a boon for music buffs,” said Charan, a resident.

Ludhiana, February 15
To evaluate the growth of the cycle industry in the industrial hub, the National Productivity Council (NPC) will soon conduct a survey.

Giving information, Harbhajan Singh, director, National Productivity Council, said, “The NPC will evaluate the ups and downs in the cycle industry during the last five years.”

Singh was in the city to visit the Mech Auto Expo/Industrial Exhibition at GLADA Ground, Chandigarh Road.

The exhibition has been organised by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (MSME), in collaboration with the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association. The NPC officials said the survey would also study the effect of the import of cycles from China on the local industry.

Singh said the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) had given directions to carry out the survey.

The NPC will submit the report to the Central government. Following this, the government will frame policies to upgrade the cycle industry.

Local industrialists stated that the import of Chinese cycles and cycle parts had affected their industry over the last few years.

Meanwhile, SS Dhillon, director, MSME, expressed hope that the programme would go a long way in developing new relations and enhancing business prospects.

Dhillon also discussed the public procurement policy meant for 20 per cent mandatory purchase from MSEs by the Central government departments/ CPSUs.

He requested entrepreneurs to make them capable to meet the requirements of different departments. 

Ludhiana, February 15
‘Ittar’ from Karachi is attracting hordes of buyers at the ongoing Indo-Pak expo at Gulmor Hotel in the city.

While perfumes and deodorants contain chemicals or alcohol, ittar is chemical-free, skin-friendly and with a long-lasting fragrance.

“The popular fragrances from Karachi are oud, mashk, sultan and kasturi,” said Muhammad Hussain from across the border. “I have also brought perfumes from Dubai but more people are buying fragrances from Pakistan,” he said.

“We have ittars that cost as much as Rs 1.5 lakh per tola (10gm). Mashk, kasturi, ‘elvan’ cost more than Rs 1 lakh,” said Hussain.

The most expensive ittar that we have brought here is ‘ifra’ costing Rs 2,500 per tola, he added.

“There is no match for the fragrance of ittar. There is an organic feel to it that is not found in deodorants. Ittars have been used for centuries and are truly a delight for the senses,” said Ritu, who bought a couple of bottles.

Another shopper Harmeet, who also bought a fragrance, said, “Nothing beats the natural fragrance of ittar. The fragrance of perfumes is a bit synthetic and artificial, but that of ittar is natural.” 

Ludhiana, February 15
In view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, the District Informatics Officer has directed 130 government departments to send information on their employees for election duty.

Kashmir Singh, District lnformatics Officer, Ludhiana, said, “To collect this data, the National Informatics Centre, Chandigarh, has developed a software, DISE-Capsule (District Information System for Election-Capsule). We have sent DISE-Capsule to about 130 different departments and asked them to send us the same within 10 days.”

DISE-Capsule will include all details of employees, their photographs, residential address, grade and the name of constituency near to him or her etc.

The same information has also been sought from the district education department.

An officer said, “We sent a CD of DISE-Capsule to the District Education Department. From here, they will inform all school headmasters and principals of government schools to send a list of their employees.”

However a senior officer, said, “While deputing employees on election duty, we always ensure to exempt lactating mothers, pregnant women and sick employees.”

Ludhiana, February 15
The mining department seized two illegal sand-laden tractor trailers from the Kohara Chowk on the Chandigarh Road here last evening.

Two persons allegedly smuggling sand were identified as Harpreet Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, both residents of Chaunta village.

On the complaint of Shingara Singh, industries officer-cum-mining officer, District Industries Centre, a case under Section 21 of the Mining Act and Section 379, IPC, has been registered against the duo at the Sahnewal police station.

Ludhiana, February 15
Local lad Nitin Sharma gave a stupendous performance in the Senior National Judo Championship held at Una, Himachal Pradesh, recently. He won a bronze medal in the below 60kg category.

Nitin’s achievement in the national championship was his maiden participation in the meet.

Prior to this, Nitin secured a silver medal, besides a cash prize of Rs 25,000 in the National Kurash Championship held in Chennai two months ago.

His coach, Parveen Thakur, said, “Nitin was going strong in the semi-final bout at Una but unfortunately, he lost his composure and got the bronze medal.”

“Currently attending the national preparatory camp at Sonepat for the upcoming Commonwealth Judo Championship scheduled to be held at Scotland,” said Thakur.