R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

500 awarded degrees: Nearly 500 BEd and MEd students were awarded degrees at the third annual convocation of the SD College of Education here on Thursday. In his address, Chancellor of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Dr SS Johal stressed the need of revamping the education system. He said the education system was turning obsolete and so, new methods of teaching and research should be adopted. Dr Jamshed Ali Khan, Dean, College Development Council, Punjabi University, Patiala, said the primary aim of education was to make students productive human beings to serve the community, society and nation.

Seminar on 'Save girl child': A district-level seminar on ‘Save girl child’ was organised at Shanti Hall in Barnala on Thursday. Chief Judicial Magistrate (Legal) Tripatjot Kaur was the chief guest at the event. Barnala Civil Surgeon Dr Renu said in Barnala district, the sex ratio had increased. She said at present, there were 897 girls against 1,000 boys in the district. She said panchayats of seven villages, where sex ratio had improved, were honoured. Additional Deputy Commissioner Jaspal Singh appealed to the people that they should not create any difference between sons and daughters.

Hoshiarpur

Man shot dead: A man, Naresh Kumar, was shot dead by some persons  in Basant Nagar. The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was the result of old enmity between Naresh and an accused, Bunny. As per the complaint lodged by Balbir Singh, father of the deceased, Bunny along with three others came in a Mahindra Xylo at about 11.30 am and opened fire at Naresh. “Naresh died on the spot and the accused managed to flee from the spot,” alleged Balbir. A case under Section 302 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered against Bunny and seven others.

Patiala

Teachers protest: MM Modi College teachers under the banner of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) protested outside the Principal’s office on Thursday. They demanded that the government release the pending grant of the last nine months to government aided private colleges. 

Sangrur

SBI donates ambulance: The State Bank of India (SBI) donated an ambulance to the local unit of the All India Pingalwara Charitable Society here. Bank Assistant General Manager Ajit Singh said every year the SBI spent a percentage of its profit on social welfare activities. 

Bid to break open ATM: Unidentified persons unsuccessfully attempted to break open an ATM of Dena Bank on Mehlan Road on Thursday. Bank Manager Naveen Gupta said though the thieves had badly damaged the ATM, they failed to steal any money. A case had been registered.