Ludhiana, March 30
While Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu has been accusing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of failing to deliver on its promises made to the electorate, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal called him a "rejected candidate" foisted on the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency.

"Bittu who was earlier the candidate from the Anandpur Sahib constituency was replaced by Ambika Soni. Now, Bittu is the Congress candidate from Ludhiana," said Badal.

Badal was in the city to welcome former district Congress president Jagmohan Sharma to the Akali Dal fold.

Dismissing the roadshow taken out by Bittu yesterday as politically "insignificant", Badal said roadshows didi not translate into poll win.

Eager to project "Ludhiana Shining", Badal said in next two to three years, the city would be transformed.

"Ludhiana is the heart of Punjab. We have a slew of development projects for it," he said.

Besides SAD-BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali, various local Akali Dal leaders attended the programme. The local leaders' praise for the Deputy CM drew muffled laughter when one of the stage anchors said in choppy English, "The Oxford University has got the honour that Sukhbir Badal is the Deputy Chief Minister."

Sharma's fulsome praise for Badal went on as: "Each child will start his morning with Sukhbir Badal zindabad slogan."

Sharma said his entry into the Akali Dal was unconditional. While announcing the support of various trade and industry associations to the Akali Dal, he said the Akali Dal candidate would also have the support of the Hindu vote bank.

Sharma, who was a rebel Congress candidate in 2012 Assembly polls, was expelled from the party. He later relented, but according to the district Congress leaders he was not formally re-inducted into the party.

In his media interactions prior to joining the Akali Dal, Sharma claimed to be a Congress member to the core, though he was critical of some leaders who "ignored" the party workers.

Ludhiana, March 30
With summer vacations and wedding season round the corner, the railway station at Dhandari, an area dominated by migrant workers, is witnessing a huge rush these days.

The authorities, however, have failed to make proper arrangements to accommodate the visitors.

There is only one reservation counter, resulting in long queues.

In fact, during a visit to the railway station today, this correspondent found over 100 migrant workers standing outside the building, waiting for the gate to open.

Some of them, including women, had been waiting there since 6.30 am.

Instead of distributing reservation forms to the visitors, a person was seen throwing the forms towards them as the workers jostled to get one.

When the gate was finally opened, the rush shifted to the reservation counter, with everyone trying their best to get in front of each other in the queue.

Garish, a migrant worker said, "I want to get a ticket to Patna. I came here at 7 am and found a huge rush outside the building. Now, there is a long queue at the reservation counter. I don't know when my turn will come.”

Heera Lal, another visitor to the railway station, said, "People face a lot of inconvenience at the reservation counter. The number of counters should be increased to address the problem.”

Station in-charge Suresh Goyal said: "Instead of going to the Ludhiana railway station, migrant workers prefer Dhandari station for railway reservation. As the wedding season is approaching at their native places, rush is being witnessed. We try our best to accommodate the visitors.”

Ludhiana, March 30
Ruling out any tie-up with “communal forces”, CPM candidate from the Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency Sukhvinder Singh Sekhon said, “We will go for an alliance with secular parties, such as the Congress, only.”

Sekhon was interacting with people during a meeting organised by Maha Sabha Ludhiana, a non-governmental organisation, at Gadri Shaheed Baba Bhan Singh Yadgari Park, Sunet.

Office-bearers of the NGO asked Sekhon a number of questions on what his party will do if it comes to power. He said one of the things would be taking control of the education and health sector.

Talking about the party’s failure to garner support, the CPM candidate said: “We are campaigning without drugs and money.''

On the party losing its ground in West Bengal, where it ruled for 34 years before Mamata Banerjee became the Chief Minister, Sekhon said, "In the past two elections, youngsters who are not aware of contributions made by the CPI(M) have voted in large numbers.”

On being questioned about the CPI’s support to Manpreet Singh Badal in Bathinda, Sekhon said: "That is Bathinda district. In Ludhiana, the CPI will keep supporting the CPM.”

NGO president Lt Col JS Brar (retd) and general secretary Jaswant Zeerkah were present at the meeting. Later, the NGO also held a street play, "But bol paya", at the venue and Threekay Colony for making people aware of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev’s ideology besides problems being faced by people in education and health sector.

Ludhiana, March 30
A one-month-old boy was reportedly left in front of the main gate of Pangura Ghar in Sarabha Nagar late last night.

He was rushed to a private hospital, from where he was taken to the civil hospital today on the Deputy Commissioner’s orders.

The child, reportedly, suffered from some illness and had a blister on his back besides some other medical issues.

"We suspect the parents left the child as they could not bear the cost of his treatment," said an official of the district administration.

To ensure proper upbringing of the child, the district administration, reportedly, contacted Swami Ganga Nand Bhuri Wale International Foundation that runs a children’s home at Talwandi Dham.

Ludhiana, March 30
Harvinder Singh Phoolka, Aam Adami Party candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Ludhiana constituency, held a public meeting at the 100-foot road in Sherpur this evening.

Addressing the gathering, Phoolka said, "Political leaders have corrupted the entire government structure in Punjab, due to which government employees do not work without bribe or recommendation from influential people.”

He said honest officers were generally discriminated with, while corrupt officials were promoted.

“We want freedom from this corrupt system and such politicos,” said Phoolka.

The AAP candidate said the main objective of any political party should be to provide quality education in government schools, proficient facilities in government healthcare centres and hospitals and security to the common man.

“Till now, no minister has thought about these issues,” he added.

Phoolka assured the labourers attending the public meeting that labour laws would be implemented properly.

Remarking on the thin attendance at the public meeting, the AAP candidate said the party did not pay anyone to attend its events.

Khanna, March 30
A driver of an Indigo car had a miraculous escape when the car hit a divider near Khanna. The collision was so intense that the vehicle was tossed into the air before falling back on a bridge. The car virtually broke into two pieces.

The incident happened near Daheru village on GT Road at around 12.40 pm when the car was going towards Ludhiana from Khanna.

Another car that was going close had a narrow escape as a possible mishap was averted.

The divider of the Indigo car fell on the kutcha road.

Rajbir Singh, a cousin of driver Ranjit Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, said the patient was under treatment at a private hospital at Bija.

Dr Kular of Kular Hospital, Bija, said Ranjit suffered multiple injuries but was out of danger.

Eye-witnesses said the car went up to 20-25 feet in the air after hitting the divider.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 30
Responding to the movement launched by the State Bank of India to educate masses about alternate channels of personal banking, various educational institutes of the area opened their accounts during the campaign. Account opening forms were filled and submitted on the website of the bank.

With intent to enable prospective customers submit their online account opening forms, bank officials led by branch manager Dehlon Sher Singh and assistant manager Annapurna Arora organised camps and workshops at Bhutta College of Education, Bhutta, Bagga Computer Centre and Guru Har Krishan College, Phallewal.

Arranging the payment of college and university fee through online modes, the bank officials motivated students to contribute their share in preservation of environment through paperless transactions. 

Ludhiana, March 30
Telefilm 'Satgur Tumre Kaaj Saware' was premiered at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan yesterday evening. The two-hour film throws light on everyday life of individuals and disseminates the message to believe in and pray to the almighty than going to self-styled "godmen" for solution of problems.

The film has been written, produced and directed by Gurpinder Singh, father of Ishmeet Singh. The first album of Ishmeet, who was the winner of Voice of India, had the same title.

"The film emphasises the importance of self-realisation and its strength, against the modern day self-proclaimed godmen," said Gurpinder Singh.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal was the chief guest on the occasion.

Ludhiana, March 30
A Continuous Medical Education (CME) on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) was conducted by the Indian Medical Association.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, about 10-15 per cent (or 13-19 million) of married couples in India are infertile. This is a rather overwhelming figure, especially in light of the fact that diabetes (another high incidence ailment) is a mere 3-5 per cent.

"Experts also feel that lifestyle changes of the 21st century have adversely affected fertility, resulting in low sperm count, infections, chronic disease and erectile dysfunction in males and damaged fallopian tubes, low egg production and fibroids in females. PCOS is one of the biggest problems in Indian women," said Dr Manika Khanna, MBBD, MD (DAGE Germany) director, Gaudium IVF and Gynae Solutions.

Indian Medical Association president Dr RK Sharma said, "In today's scenario, lifestyle is a very big problem with this generation. The problem is prevalent among professionals in the software and IT sector. Working on the computer for 12-14 hours at a stretch, lack of attention or time for nutrition and a disturbed sleep cycle has all become perfect ingredients for infertility." — TNS

Ludhiana, March 30
Finally the local office of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) submitted the report regarding the schools associated with board that have been running in less than 200 square yard area. According to the district officials more than 85 per cent schools again failed to fulfil the criteria of the board. Now, the board can order to shut down more than 20 schools in the district.

The district officials had submitted the report after conducting a survey of 27 schools in the district. Earlier, the PSEB had ordered to shut down 800 associated schools, running in less than 200 square yards, across the state.

These 27 schools in the district had raised an objection on the board’s move and demanded to recheck the status of their schools. The board officials had conducted a survey last week.

According to the information, some of the schools get a few square yards to fulfil the criteria of PSEB. While some of the schools bought a plot near to the schools to satisfy the board officials.

Balwinder Singh, district depot manager of PSEB, said, “I have visited all the 27 schools of the district, which claimed that they have fulfilled the criteria. Our team found that 85 per cent schools did not fulfil the criteria. Some of the school authorities have tried to mislead us about the status of schools. I have written to the senior officials of the board. The board will take action as per the rules.” 

Ludhiana, March 30
The beautification and landscaping work of students home compound at Punjab Agricultural University has gathered pace. After constructing the footpaths and planting of new trees, the PAU authorities have also transplanted grass.

The PAU students have welcomed this move and feel that their fellow students should maintain cleanliness in the area now.

Gurwinder Singh Sran, MSc student at PAU, said, “With the grass being transplanted, the compound looks much greener now. Earlier, it gave a very shabby look but now the entire area looks new and fresh,” he said.

Karanvir Singh Sandhu, president, PAU Students Association, said not only the footpaths had been constructed but the authorities had also installed dustbins in the area. “So now it’s the duty of the students to maintain proper cleanliness.

Ludhiana, March 30
With the implementation of the model code of conduct the protesting teachers unions are left with no option than to calm down. They have called off their protests as they think that the government is inactive and cannot fulfil their demands during the poll code.

However, the issues of unions are still unaddressed. The teacher unions which usually raise a lot of hue and cry before elections hardly bother the candidates to get their demands fulfilled. Even none of the parties has paid heed to their demands.

Ramanjit Singh, from Democratic Employees Front, said, “Most of the time, teachers start protesting near elections to press for their demands upon the ruling party. But as soon as the Election Commission imposes the model code of conduct, the activists prefer to stop the movement as they think that now the government is inactive. The struggle should continue even during elections.”

Sandeep Singh, another unionist, said, “Most of the teachers are concerned with their own issues. Their agenda is not to uplift education. This is the time to meet the candidates and ask them to include issues related to education in their election agenda.”

It is pertinent to mention that various teachers unions, including ETT Teachers Union, Computer Teacher Union, SSA RMSA Teachers Union and TET Passed Unemployed Teachers Unions have been staging protests before the announcement of elections but are now keeping mum. 

Ludhiana, March 30
Payment of electricity bills has become a hassle for the city residents, who remain at the receiving end. Residents complain about the apathy and inefficiency of the staff as well as lack of basic facilities at the cash counters of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), flaws in the on-line payment system, non-functional central server and not so customer-friendly bill paying machines (BPMs).

If aggrieved city residents are to be believed, the staff deployed at cash counters of the PSPCL never show up on time. Especially, on the last few days for payment, people have to stand in queues for hours together while the staff members either arrive late on duty, or spend time in gossiping and attending to phone calls.

Hari Prakash, a shopkeeper in Civil Lines area, said the women clerk deployed at the cash counter on Fountain Chowk cash counter arrived almost one hour late while many people, including women and senior citizens were made to wait for quite some time for payment of their electricity bills.

“There is no facility such as benches or some chairs for the senior citizens, physically challenged persons or women at the cash counters where they could wait for their turn to pay bills,” said another senior resident Kulwant Singh.

For the last several months, the central server of PSPCL has gone non-functional with the result that the residents have to go cash counters at their concerned division or sub-division for payment of electricity bills. Earlier, people had the option to make payment of bills at their nearest cash counter, irrespective of the location of their residence, commercial or industrial premises.

A large number of city residents with connected load of more than 10 KW recently found to their utter surprise that their account numbers had been changed by the PSPCL and on-line payment of bills made by them on the basis of their old account numbers were not being taken into account.

Even though the PSPCL authorities have installed four BPMs in different parts of the city for payment of bills but those making use of this facility are also far from being satisfied. “At times, the machine does not accept payment by cheque, or no receipt is handed out for cash payment. Ultimately, their remains no other choice but to go to a cash counter and wait in the queue,” said Bakhsi Ram, a resident of Daresi.

Bhupinder Khosla, executive engineer (billing) of PSPCL said central server of power utility is about to become functional within next few days. City residents also have the option of making on-line payment which is completely hassle-free or avail services of “easy bill” outlets, he added.

Ludhiana, March 30
Tall claims of Municipal Corporation of holding camps for collection of property tax fall flat as the civic body has not been able to achieve its targets. The collected tax amount has not crossed Rs 60 crore mark against the expected Rs 100 crore. Till date, civic body has been able to collect a total Rs 59.34 crore (cumulative recovery).

The joint commissioner-cum-nodal officer, PS Ghuman said camps were being organised in all the four zones but admitted that work was suffering at certain places as most of the staff was busy with election duties.

"Still we are doing our best to collect as much revenue as we can through the property tax", said Ghuman.

The number of taxable properties in Zone A are 25,436, Zone B 25,814, Zone C 27,185 and Zone D 18,213 and the recoveries were Rs 6.10 crore, Rs 10.53 crore, Rs 8.06 crore and Rs 14.17crore, respectively. Besides, the civic body has also collected tax from Suvidha centre, on-line recovery and mobile-van recovery, which makes the total amount to Rs 59. 34 crore.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the congress councillors here Parminder Mehta said confusion prevailed over the rates of property tax as well. The MC was collecting much more amount than the DC rates. "We had also approached the authorities to make amendments so that residents could deposit amount as per DC rates. But no amendment had been made and residents feel reluctant to deposit exorbitant amount with the result that tax collection suffered this year and MC had to bear financial losses," said Mehta. He also added that in his Zone (A) no such camps had been organised by the MC.

Ludhiana, March 30
Oil Expeller and Parts Manufacturing Society (OEPMS) has completed its soft intervention stage and now heading toward high intervention stage. In this stage, Oil Expeller and Manufacturing Parts Society will develop common facility centre to uplift the small scale industrial units.

According to office bearers of Oil Expeller and Parts Manufacturing Society (OEPMS), the cluster would import modern machinery for casting and heat treatment from Germany, Japan and Taiwan to be installed at Common Facility Centre.

Oil Expeller and Parts Manufacturing Society organised a session -“International Cooperation on Market Development”.

Harish Singla, financial secretary, Oil Expeller and Parts Manufacturing Society, said, "We have bought two acre land near Sahnewal to construct common facility centre.

Apart from land and construction Rs 16 crore will be spend on this project.

The project is sponsored by micro, small and medium enterprises under cluster development programme.

The 10 per cent of total cost will be paid by the OEPMS. We expect that it will be completed by 2016."

Gagan Gopal, general secretary of the OEPMS said, there are total 170 units of oil expeller and parts manufacturing in the city.

There are 20 members of cluster. The owners of small units are not able to expand their business as they can not afford costly machinery. Common facility centre would provide them exposure to grow."

Vinod Jain, president of OEPMS, said, “The hi-tech machinery would decrease the cost of production and improve the quality. "

Ludhiana, March 30
The on-going 'North Zone Inter Medical and Dental College Tournament (NOZIT-2014)' reached its zenith when noted Punjabi singer Babbu Maan enthraled the audience of students and faculty with his electrifying performance and popular numbers. The youth were mesmerised listening to his hit songs.

Medicos were seen dancing to the tunes of popular foot tapping numbers of Babbu Mann. "Mittran di chatri toon", "Sharate naal" and other popular numbers were performed by the singer.

"Such events relieve out the stress of the day. Everybody needs such events and especially those who have hectic schedules. We enjoyed a lot and Babbu Maan was kind enough to accept everybody's request," said a doctor while dancing on the tunes of a popular number.

Secretary of DMCH Managing Society, Prem Kumar Gupta along with dean academics Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina (chairperson, NOZIT committee) were present on the occasion. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Minister, PWD, was the guest of honour. During the function, cancer affected children sponsored by local NGO were also felicitated by the noted singer.

Results

DMCH Vs SGRD, Amritsar: DMCH won by 9 wickets. Man of the Match: Harsimran Preet Singh Chahal.

Badminton

Men (singles): Karan (Adesh,Bhatinda)

Men (doubles): Karan and Abdesh (Adesh,Bhatinda)

Women (singles): Aanchal (DMCH)

Women (doubles): Sachi and Simran Hayer(DMCH)

Mixed doubles: Anubhav and Aanchal (DMCH)

Ludhiana, March 30
With the social media getting highly popular among the masses, clicking and posting self-clicked pictures has become a habit. These self-pictures, called 'selfies', have become a rage online and have also led to 'selfie-contests' being organised these days.

City-youngsters have started becoming selfie artists in their own right. Youngsters love to participate in such contests, becoming fans of their own selves and narcissists of a sort.

"Earlier, I was interested in pictures of others, but after having posted my pictures online on social media, I enjoy catching myself on the camera," says Ravneet, a student.

Some youngsters change their profile pictures almost every day. "I give my friends and acquaintances a new face to look at every day, clicking my pictures in different poses," Ravneet said.

Many people click pictures from different angles - from high angle, low angle, side shots and a host of different ways to get the most attracting pictures, overwhelmed with a craze to post them online.

Amit, another self-professed selfie-artist, says people generally click their pictures with their smart phones and immediately post their pictures online. "Whatever mood I am in, I update my status and also upload my new selfie that reflects my mood," he said.

Ludhiana, March 30
The exams are over, temperature is soaring and it is the time when children drain out maximum energy playing out in the sun leaving them tired and hungry. Diet is an important factor which needs to be looked after during this time of the year and experts advocate to plan the diet of the kids with utmost care.

Shilpa Joshi, a Mumbai-based nutritionist and diet expert, said it was very important to inculcate healthy eating habits among kids and it becomes all the more important during summers.

“During vacations children play a lot and get exhausted easily. My 9-year-old kid is always on the move as a result he is hungry all the time. He has a proper routine during school days which becomes difficult to follow during vacations. As a result, he ends up eating all kinds of junk food such as crisps, fries and burgers leading to weight gain,”� says Rajwinder Grewal, a mother.

An international study conducted last year through kindergarten and first grade found that the Body Mass Index (BMI) accelerated at a faster rate during the summer break than during the school year.

“Make sure your children eat all the three main meals on time. If your child have an urge to reach out for a packet of chips, avoid preparing heavy, oily fare instead give him fruits or make fruit chaat or fruit smoothie. Don’t give him heavy meal before going out in the sun,”€� says Minnie, another dietician from the city. “Give milk in form of lassi, buttermilk or opt for fruit milkshakes or ice-creams,”€� she says.

According to nutrition experts, parents should stock up on lots of summer fruits, because eating them will not only prevent kids from developing any vitamin and mineral deficiencies but will also keep them hydrated throughout summers.

In order to ensure your kid is having enough water through the day, fill up a bottle of water containing glucose and ask your kid to carry it at all times.

Manisha Singla, a mother of 6-year-old, says, “Kids love it when food is presented to them in an interesting manner. Just a little innovation and kids will love to gulp down the dish or drink.”

Ludhiana, March 30
Two motorcycle-borne youth snatched a purse containing mobile phone and around Rs 6,000 in cash from Bhupinder Kaur, wife of noted Punjabi poet and Padma Shri Dr Surjit Patar. Bhupinder received minor injuries on foot.

This incident took place in front of the main gate of Hotel Fortune Klassik late last evening, where Dr Surjit Patar, along with his wife Bhupinder Kaur and son Manraj, had gone to attend a wedding party.

Manraj said "I dropped my mother near the gate and I went to park the car. As my mother was walking towards my father, two motorcycle-borne youth came and snatched her purse. By the time I rushed to my mother's rescue, the snatchers escaped."