Bathinda, April 23
The Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora today reviewed security in and around Narendra Modi’s rally venue which is scheduled to take place on April 25 at Model Town Phase-III in Bathinda.

The DGP and senior police officials, including Inspector General of Police, Paramraj Singh, DIG, Bathinda Zone, Yurinder Singh Hayer, DIG, Ferozepur Zone, Amar Singh Chahal, and SSPs of eight districts which come under the two zones were present.

According to the police officials, the DGP took stock of the security arrangements in and around the rally venue and also assigned some duties regarding stage management and traffic from the senior 
police officials.

It is pertinent to mention that the city has been kept on high alert days ahead of Modi’s visit. The CRPF and commandos have put up barricades in the city and allow vehicles to pass through only after a thorough checking.

The whole area seems to have been turned into a fortress, with security forces cordoning off all the roads leading to the venue.

The police force in large numbers from other districts have also reached Bathinda for the rally.

Intelligence official in civil clothes have also been deployed in various parts of the city. As the administration is not in a mood to take any chances as earlier, during such events, many union members had protested during SAD’s rally. So this time, the police did not want to face that embarrassment.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said all the security arrangements have been made. A large number of police officials have been deployed in and around the city.

The police have also been visiting the people’s houses in the areas near the venue which has irked the residents. They said they feel harassed at the hands of the police officials due to Modi’s rally.

Robin Jindal, who lives in Model Town Phase-III area, said that each time he goes out of the area, police officials stop him and check his vehicle.

Gursewak Singh Chahal, also a resident of the same locality, said the police officials for the last six to seven days were visiting their houses regularly collecting information regarding the people living there and now, for two days, the police officials had been standing on their terrace and monitoring them permanently.

He also urged that the political parties should conduct these rallies outside the city so that the residents are not harassed.

Bathinda, April 23
Ram Singh Azad, a close aide of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, Jasraj Singh Longia, today extended his support to the Congress-PPP-CPI candidate for the Lok Sabha seat, Manpreet Singh Badal, stating that he wasn’t happy with the AAP’s decision to field Longia.

Maintaining that his decision to support Manpreet could be attributed to the AAP’s choice of candidate for Bathinda, he said, “Jassi had applied for a ticket from Anandpur Sahib, but was not shortlisted then. Why was he then given a ticket from Bathinda? He also lied about being registered as a voter at two places. The mystery behind his candidature is yet to be unravelled. There’s a possibility that he has been brought here to eat into Manpreet’s votebank which will go in favour of Harsimrat Kaur Badal.”

“While Jassi is high on stardom, Manpreet Badal’s ideology came closest to that of Kejriwal. Using the party’s name, Jassi is also embezzling money being donated by the NRIs and is playing with the sentiments of the people, especially the youth. Despite being his close aide, I didn’t know as many details about his programme that a TV channel, owned by the Akalis, knew. In fact, Jassi got a lot of coverage on the channel,” he further added.

Refusing to clarify whether he had joined the PPP or planned to do so after the elections, he said, “I’m not with any party. I was not an AAP supporter, I was a supporter of its ideology. Till the elections, I extended my support to Manpreet as I can’t sit in peace watching the way Jassi is cheating people of Bathinda using Kejriwal’s name. After the election, I will continue with the work that our Nasha Virodhi Manch is doing and will support the party whose ideology I will identify with.”

Bathinda, April 23
“We aim at increasing the number of seats in government medical colleges in the state so that medical education does not become a monopoly of the rich and upper strata of society, said the nominated representative of the state in the Medical Council of India (MCI), Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh while talking to Bathinda Tribune here today.

Dr Aulakh was in the city as the chief guest during the convocation ceremony of the Adesh Institute of Medical Science and Research (AIMSR). He said already, 50 seats have been added to the government college in Faridkot. “We are working on increasing the MBBS seats at Patiala medical college to 150 and at Amritsar medical college to 200,” he said.

He added that with the Central government sanctioning Rs 150 crore to Patiala medical college and another Rs 80 crore to the Amritsar medical college, education at these premier institutes is all set to get better. In order to meet the increasing demand for faculty, some norms may be tweaked to allow more people to compete.

Talking about private medical institutes holding own entrance tests and charging heavy capitation fees from the students, Dr Aulakh said the states should have complete control over private medical colleges. “Our strategy of strengthening government medical colleges will also combat this evil. When enough seats will be available at the government medical colleges, why would one prefer private ones, which charge huge capitation fees,” he said.

Earlier, while addressing students at the AIMSR, he exhorted them to come up with innovations in the field of medical technology such as Jaipur foot, Ph paper colour change to detect infection in the ICU patients, beating heart bypass surgery, cornea sliced and used for more than one transplant patients and others.

“As doctors, we are better equipped to create a knowledge-based and technology-driven society. But we need to use this technology for cost-effective treatment to make it within the reach of poor patients,” he said.

Dr Aulakh, who is founder of the Gift of Life Organ Donation Awareness Society (GLODAS), told students that as young doctors, they should understand brain death and ensure that a brain dead patient’s relatives are motivated to donate his or her organs.

“Every year, we fall short of several organs, which can give a new life to many patients. As doctors, it’s our moral responsibility to ensure that each and everyone is educated and made aware about organ donation,” he said.

He also laid emphasis on adhering to medical ethics and performing a surgery or treatment only when it is needed.

Bathinda, April 23
Wheat procurement is yet to gain momentum in most grain market in the district despite the tall claims of the administration. Farmers at the Bathinda Grain Market seem to be feeling harassed at the hands of the officials concerned. The farmers have been facing a number of problems due to the apathy of the officials.

A visit to the various grain markets in Bathinda district on Wednesday revealed the myth about the government claims that adequate measures have been taken for the timely procurement of wheat.

In nine market committees in the district, six agencies, namely Pungrain, the FCI, Markfed, Punsup, Warehouse, Punjab Agro and private players are purchasing wheat.

In Bathinda district, a total of 1,45,677 metric tonnes of wheat has arrived so far, out of which 95,480 metric tonnes have been purchased, while only 22,602 metric tonnes have been lifted. While Pungrain has purchased 18,395 metric tonnes, the FCI 8,780 metric tonnes, Markfed 21,850 metric tonnes, Punsup 22,912 metric tonnes, Warehouse 11,989 tonnes, Agro 10,440 metric tonnes and private players 1,114 metric tonnes.

Farmers were seen there sitting on jute bags filled with wheat as there were no adequate arrangements for them at the grain market.

Delay in wheat procurement has also raised question about the storage arrangements for the crop this season. It is worth mentioning that tyhe godowns of the procurement agencies are still filled with paddy crop of the last season.

However, the farmers are worried, that if the procured wheat is not lifted, then where will the farmers keep the new wheat in the market as there would hardly be any space.

It is pertinent to mention that even the wheat arrival needs to gain momentum as so far, only 1,45,677 metric tonnes of wheat has arrived against the 3,24,373 metric tonnes which arrived till date last year.

Meanwhile, farmers said their crop was almost ready and it would hit the market in another week’s time. As the prolonged winter season and rise in temperature just at the right time indicate a bumper harvest, untimely rain has delayed the crop due to moisture. While agriculture officials claimed that there was no issue at all and that the work was going on time.

Bathinda, April 23
The Bharti Kisan Union (Rajowal) extended its support to the SAD-BJP joint candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal for the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency here today. The union has formed various teams which have started seeking votes for Harsimrat Badal in Mansa, Joga, Maur, Lambi and villages around Bathinda.

Union president Balbir Singh Rajowal said the Congress government has started ruining the farmers by signing a contract at the world business organisation which was organised in Bali.

He stated that as per the contract, in the next four years, the government will stop selling of crops through government agencies. He also alleged that the Congress party had trapped the farmers in debt and has driven them to suicide. Rajowal also appealed to the people to vote for the SAD-BJP as the Congress that remained in power for 55 years out of 66 years, has only given the people poverty, inflation and corruption. — TNS

Bathinda, April 23
A four-month-old child has been successfully operated for congenital cataract. The child, Jagjot Singh, was born on December 12 last year. Sulakhan Singh, father of the child, had noticed a small white spot in his left eye a few days after his birth. “We were alarmed to see a squint developing in the left eye of the child. The eye even shrunk a little as compared to the right one,” said Sulkahan, a resident of Bandi village.

The child was operated upon at the Sra Eye Hospital on April 21. Dr JS Sra who performed the surgery along with anesthetist Dr Sushil Garg and paediatrician Dr Robin Maheshwari said the child suffered from congenital cataract.

“Had he not been treated in time, he could have lost his vision,” said Dr Sra.

Bathinda, April 23
Two hundred and seven medical graduates were conferred degrees at the convocation ceremony of Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR) held here today.

Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, Member, Medical Council of India (MCI), was the chief guest. Dr Randeep Singh Mann, president, Punjab Dental Council, was the guest of honour. Chairman, Adesh Foundation and Chancellor, Adesh University, Dr H S Gill presided over the function.

A total of 165 graduates were conferred the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery during convocation and 42 graduates were given the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Besides, awards of academic excellence were presented to 32 MBBS students and 49 BDS students.

Dr Paramjit Singh, Registrar, Adesh University, started the proceedings by welcoming the dignitaries, distinguishedguests and parents of the fresh graduates. Vice-Chancellor Dr GPI Singh presented the annual report.

Dr Amanish Singh, principal, AIDSR, administered the Hippocratic oath to the graduates of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, while principal, AIMSR, Dr Harkiran Kaur administered the Hippocratic Oath to the MBBS doctors.

Addressing the young medicos, Chancellor Dr H S Gill stressed upon the need to adopt professional ethics and moral values.

Dr GPI Singh conferred the degrees. The students received academic awards from the guest of honour Dr Randeep Singh Mann and the chief guest Dr Baldev Singh.

During the convocation, 32 MBBS students and 49 BDS students were presented with awards of academic excellence. The best MBBS graduate award was presented to Ankita, while Sonica Wahi was declared the second best graduate.

The best intern award was given to Vibha Mehta while Manvi Talwar was declared the best all-rounder of Batch-2008.

In the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the best graduate award was presented to Aman Kaur Bajwa, while Prabhjot Kaur was declared the second best graduate. The Best Intern award in Bachelor Dental of Surgery course was given to Adity Aggarwal.

The convocation ceremony was conducted by the Dean, Academics, AIMSR, Dr Rajiv Mahajan and the Dean, Academics, AIDSR, Dr Munish Singla.

Bathinda, April 23
Students of the SSD College for Girls brought laurels to the college with their outstanding performance in the examinations conducted by the Punjabi University, Patiala.

Saloni and Arshdeep Kaur secured the first and second positions respectively in Bathinda in MCom (semester I) Shelja of B Com (professional semester 1) secured the first position.

The college also recorded 100 per cent result in M Com and B Com (professional) courses.

All students of the SSD College of Professional Studies (Co-educational), Bhokhra, Bathinda, secured first division. Jitesh Singla and Shekhar of B Com (Part I) secured the first and second positions in the college.

Pareksha Sachdeva and Bindu Rani secured the first and second positions respectively in M Com (part 1) in the college. Nisha and Ankush Nain secured the first and second positions in the college.

Bathinda, April 23
The Career Lines (TCL) conducted a placement drive for the final year students of the University College of Computer Applications, Guru Kashi University (GKU), Talwandi Sabo. A team of HR managers, headed by CEO Manju Bansal, visited the campus and selected five students of MCA.

During the drive, students underwent a written test, group discussion followed by an interview. The selected students are Prabhjeet Singh, Kusam Rani, Anu Sachdeva, Munish Bansal and Kavita Sethi.

Karanjeev Singh, Training and Placement Officer, GKU, stated that students will work on live projects for the software industry and get an annual package ranging from Rs1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh.

Dr NS Malhi, Vice-Chancellor, lauded the efforts of Karanjeev Singh, Dean, Department of Computer Applications and TPO for the placement of students.

Bathinda, April 23
Members of the Democratic Teachers’ Front and other unions held a meeting at the Teachers’ Home here today. Raising slogans against the state government, the leaders accused the SAD-BJP candidates of asking people to vote for them while the state government had failed miserably in paying salaries to the employees in time.

They alleged that while the state government attributed the delay to the weak financial condition of the state, funds were released by the state government to provide every possible luxury to its own leaders and higher officials.

The teachers alleged that the state government was not willing to shoulder its responsibility and not recruiting the teachers directly and was rather covering them as part of various projects.

Bathinda, April 23
As per the directions of the Education Department, Government of Punjab, a district-level poster-making competition was held at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School here today under the supervision of the District Education Officer (Secondary).

As per the information shared by the District Coordinator (Social Science), Manoj Kumar, students who bagged the first and second positions in the six block-level competitions participated in the competition.

In the competition, held on the occasion of the World Book Day, Yadpreet Singh of Government High School, Bhagwangarh, secured the first position while Lovleen Kaur of Government Middle School, Baho Yatri, secured the second position and Anmolpreet Kaur of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Mehraj, bagged the third position. Yadpreet and Lovleen Kaur will now represent the district in the state-level competition.

While Bhupinder Kaur Kotfatta and Daljit Singh judged the students, the prizes were given away by the DEO (Elementary) Amarjit Kaur Kotfatta.