The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Drive to remove encroachments in colonies Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 Encroachment of green belt by houses in residential colonies has established a wrong precedence. Already, the city is grappling with rampant encroachments made by commercial establishments on the main and prominent roads of the city. Though the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken a proactive stand to identify large-scale encroachments in various parts of the holy city, a similar exercise could not be kick-started in the posh residential areas of the city. A Tribune team took a random round of the city only to find that many residents of these colonies are utilising and altering the public land according to their “convenience” without any guilt and fear. Many of them have installed iron bars to extend their adjoining houses and utilise the space according to their convenience while encroaching upon public land. They have become a headache for the authorities because of their “positions and connections”. Besides, a substantial number of pickets for private and police security guards, allotted to the VVIPs, have sprung up prominently on public land and even parks located in residential colonies like Basant Avenue, Green Avenue, Ranjit Avenue and Medical Enclave. Prominent politicians here have encroached upon common service lanes and even main roads to accommodate their bodyguards. “It is indeed ironical that the authorities, too, looked the other way and allowed permanent structures and establishments to come up on pavements, roads and even in the earmarked green belts,” said a resident of Ranjit Avenue. Perhaps due to the immunity they enjoy, other commercial establishments, too, have sprung up in the area under the very nose of the authorities. Numerous car driving schools have encroached upon public paths to operate their business from the roadside. Superintending Engineer, Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), said that according to the directions of Local Body Minister Anil Joshi, a plan has been chalked out to remove these encroachments and, wherever possible, utilise the land for public. Hence, the trust has embarked on a drive to remove encroachments made on the green belt in the residential areas of Ranjit Avenue in the city. After removing these, the trust authorities intend to have a jogging lane in their place. The SE said that similar anti-encroachment drives would be taken up in different localities of the city.
	Now, pay more user charges at government hospitals Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 The revision of user charge for various services at government health institutions within a year is expected to pinch the public, which still has to recover from the shock of increase in bus and train fares apart from hike in sugar prices. The state government had increased the user charges in June last year. Prior to June 2013, a patient had to pay Rs 2 for registration slip of the Out Patients Department (OPD) which was revised to Rs 5. With the new revision set to become effective after July 1, the OPD registration will cost Rs 10. Even charges for many other services have been increased. A person undergoing a medical fitness examination will now have to pay Rs 300 whereas the charges prior to June 2013 were merely Rs 50 when these were increased to Rs 300. A patient undergoing a minor surgery will have to pay Rs 300 post-July 1 while the existing rates for it were Rs 200. The charges for minor surgeries before June 2013 were merely Rs 50. The rates for major surgeries have also gone up from Rs 750 to Rs 1,000 while before June 2013 a patient had to pay merely Rs 375. The charges for AC rooms have also been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 300 per day. The charges for ambulance services have been increased from Rs 8 per kilometre to Rs 10 per kilometre. The charges for various diagnostic tests have also been increased. Officials of the Health Department said that prior to the revision in June 2013, the user charges were revised in 2001. They stated that the recent increase in user charges was unexpected as the input costs for various services had not increased as much the rates were increased. Meanwhile, the general public stated that while on the one hand, the state government was claiming to provide medicines free of cost to all patients, on the other hand, it had increased the rates for common services within a year. Ravi Kumar, a local resident, said, “The rates are still lower than what is being charged by private doctors. The government should also focus on improving the services for general public as now it has increased the rates.”
	De-addiction facility at PHCs, CHCs ends Tribune News Service Manmeet Singh Gill Amritsar, June 28 The de-addiction facility introduced at government health institutions in the district recently in the wake of a crackdown on the problem has been reportedly terminated with effect from today. The centres initiated on June 20 had merely worked for five days before a stop was put on their operations today. Sources in the department stated that instructions have been received to stop providing de-addiction medication to the addicts after today. These centres were started at many primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs). Under the project, a total of seven such centres, one in urban CHC and six at rural locations were started. After the recent police crackdown on drug peddlers, the district had witnessed a spurt in the cases of youngsters visiting government hospitals for de-addiction facilities. Earlier, apart from private de-addiction centres, which are often accused of inhuman and unscientific treatment of the problem, the public sector had only one centre, namely Swami Vivekananda De-addiction Centre at the medical college here. The number of patients at the centre has increased manifold during the past few weeks. A senior official of the Health Department on condition of anonymity said that according to instructions, these centres had been asked to stop their operations temporarily till next orders were received on the issue. The official stated that the department was working to find a better solution to the drug de-addiction issue.
	Man held for selling tiger claws Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 The SPCA today held one Sukhpal Singh, a resident of Majitha, for reportedly selling tiger parts in markets in Amritsar. SPCA Inspector Ashok Joshi, who was among the raiding team of the SPCA, said the person was found near the bus stand following a tip-off. As many as four claws and Rs 2,000 were seized from his possession, he said. However, authenticity of the claws of a tiger is yet to be determined. Sukhpal, however, claimed that the claws were not that of a tiger. He stated that he was selling these in the market to earn a living. However, a controversy erupted after SPCA activists tied Sukhpal with ropes. Joshi said since he was constantly trying to escape, it became necessary to prevent him from doing so. Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat, who is also Chairman of the SPCA in the district, said he directed Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Dr Jagdish Chander Shori, to enquire about tying up Sukhpal Singh. Shori said the claws would be handed over to the State Forest department to ascertain their authenticity. After verifying the authenticity of the claws, a case would be filed or not filed against the person. He said now Sukhpal Singh was with the police chowki at the bus stand.
	Imparting creativity to young minds in art classes Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 Creativity breeds creativity. Sharing a common passion for art and thriving on creative instincts, city- based artist Rubina Singh has been grooming young minds in her art classes. Her home at Green Avenue has turned into a creative hive for over 20-30 odd students. Specialising in mural and ceramic art, which she has done elaborately over the years, Rubina prefers the role of a teacher these days. “I learnt these forms as I wanted a creative outlet for my thoughts. I mostly work on elaborate peices, which take more than 15-20 days each. So, there is not much I can indulge myself in apart from my art,” she says. One look at her garage gallery, and the intricately done murals on glass, wood and ceramics impress the eye. Working on Egyptian style art with ceramics, Tanjore style religious paintings, Rubina says the art pieces are quite in demand as aesthetic interiors overseas and here. “Since these are considered valuable due to intricate details and workmanship, they have a good fan following overseas. The NRIs have a taste for ethnic and traditional art form.” Her paintings travel overseas to US, Canada, Australia and she gets students who want to learn the art when travelling to India. Her class, mostly filled with young energy, has children as young as six-year-olds. “I am amazed at the talent and enthusiasm of children today. The kind of paintings I do need a lot of practice and precision to master as ceramic takes time to mould and set in. But children have the patience and the zeal to learn all niceties,” she says. Giving credit and support to her art form is her teacher, mentor and mother-in-law TK Singh. Rubina says she still looks up to her opinion and criticism about her work. Rubina also does hand painting on fabric, which she sources to various fashion labels. Fashion art, she says, is the big thing in Indian fashion industry. “Almost every big designer has worked with fabrics as canvas. Using organic dyes, blocks and hand-painted motifs in religious and symbolic forms is popular ethnic and Indo-Western concept in clothes. It’s another field of art getting its due now.”
	Snatching incidents on the rise PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 Contrary to the claims of police department, the snatchings continued unabated in the city. The city witnessed around four snatching cases in past couple of days. In the recent incident occurred on Mall road area late today evening in which Manvi, a resident of Medical Enclave was robbed by unidentified robbers. She was purchasing an earthen pot from near Company Bagh garden when the incident took place. She lodged a complaint with the police in which she stated that she had Rs 10,000 cash, debit card besides other valuables. Similarly, Richa Suri of Pawan Nagar area fall victim to the snatchers here today. She was going to her tuition centre when two motorcycle-borne youth snatched her purse containing Rs 1200 cash, keys of house besides other valuables. Narrating the incident she said that accused riding pillion had covered his face. They were riding a motorcycle the registration number ending with 0374. Dalbir Kaur, a resident of Sandhu Colony, Chheharta lodged a complaint with the cantonment police that two motorcycle borne youth snatched her purse containing Rs 82,000 cash, cheque book and other necessary documents when she was returning home by cart after purchasing vegetables in Putlighar area. Similarly, unidentified motorcycle borne youth snatched a mobile from Avtar Singh of Prem Nagar area. The incident occurred in Shivaji Park area in posh Rani Ka Bagh locality also falls under Cantonment police station. It is pertinent to mention here that following the crackdown on drug peddlers launched by the police in past one month around 400 drug traffickers have been arrested by the police. A large number of them were also the drug consumers and involved in the petty crimes like snatchings. The police officials had claimed that the number of after the arrest of huge number of drug peddlers, a number of snatching instances have scaled down in the city premises. However, repeated instances have exposed the false claims of the police department. The police officials however said that patrolling is being intensified while Beat Foot Patrolling system has also been strengthened recently. They said the residents would soon see a change and snatchings would be curbed soon.
	Conference on computer and business studies concludes Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 As many as 150 research scholars and delegates presented research papers in two-day National Conference on ‘Advancement in Computer and Business Studies’ which concluded at Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology (ACET) today. The programme was jointly hosted by Departments of Computer Science of Engineering (CSE), IT, MCA and MBA. Prof KN Pathak, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab University, Chandigarh, was the chief guest. Addressing the students he emphasised the originality and quality of research and motivated the young research scholars to direct their research towards the welfare of society. ACET Group Director, Dr OK Harsh apprised the faculty on latest development in the field of computer science and business studies and emphasised on original research. Dr VK Banga, principal, ACET, appreciated the hard work put in by the faculty of CSE, IT, MCA and MBA for organising the conference. He said it was the third conference in the span of six months. He extended his best wishes to all the participants. Amit Sharma, ACET Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, complimented all the coordinators for the success of the conference.
	Students return from trip abroad Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 Two engineering students today returned after visiting Italy and Thailand under a student exchange programme. More students are expected to leave for Russia, Egypt and France under the same project. Prabhjit Singh, a student of BTech (Electronics and Communication Engineering) visited Bangkok University in Thailand and worked with 150 interns from 60 different nations. Prabhjit said it was an awesome experience to work on technical and management projects in different professional groups. Another student Harsh Gagandeep Singh Sidhu visited Parthenope University in Italy, where he had a chance to work with a group of 25 interns from eight different countries. Harsh said, “The visit to Italy has totally changed my mindset and it has widened the horizons of my thinking.” The students belonged to Global Engineering College.
	Swiss scientist visits Khalsa College Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 An agriculture scientist from Zurich University (ZU), Zurich, Switzerland, Dr Peter Marty visited department of agriculture at Khalsa College Amritsar (KCA), here and interacted with faculty and students. He also visited organic farm at the college campus and stated that their university would like to have students’ exchange programs with KCA and would share information on new research and faculty training programs. Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina welcomed Peter and exchanged dialogues relating new research and applications in agriculture and food production sector. Chhina said they have explored the possibilities of exchanging students and faculty interaction programs in near future. Peter said he was impressed by the idea of organic farming which is a major hit in Switzerland. ``We have a very successful program of organic farming in our country which is the answer to future food requirement. We can collaborate in this sector immensely’’, said Peter who teaches sustainable development at department of Life Sciences at ZU. He thanked teachers and KCGC for extending him the warm welcome as he addressed the students narrating the detailed presentation about his university research program. Others who were present during the interaction program included KCGC finance secretary Gunbir Singh, joint secretary (farms) Rajbir Singh, member SS Chhina, Ajit Singh Basra, Prof.Sukhdev Singh and Prof.Gurbakash Singh.
	TB control programme RMPs’ induction yields result in rural areas Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 The efforts of the Voluntary Health Organisation of India (VHOI) to rope in registered medical practitioners in rural areas to identify tuberculosis (TB) patients at an early stage has started yielding results, as RMPs has so far referred around 100 suspected patients to government institutions. The VHOI is running a project Axshya for the control of TB in the state. Project Coordinator Rajiv Chaudhary stated that out of 100 patients referred by RMPs working in the rural areas, 19 were tested positive. Chaudhary said the involvement of RMPs in the project would go a long way in checking the spread of TB as villagers approach them for medical advise. The VHOI has been organising meeting with the RMPs working in rural areas after every three months to monitor the progress of the work. Chaudhary said the RMPs were sensitised about the need for their involvement in the programme, after which they had assured to pass on every suspected case of TB. He said, under the project Axshya, they are creating awareness among the masses, so that they can avail the benefits of free treatment available at all government hospitals. The Voluntary Health Organisation of India has also set up voluntary sputum collection centers to help people get the required diagnostic tests conducted.
	Puppet-making workshop held Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 Artists Narinder Singh and Sanjay Kumar conducted an open workshop on puppet making at the Art Gallery. PS Grover, general secretary, Indian Academy of Fine Arts(IAFA), convened the workshop. The workshop was organised as a part of Summer Art Camp. Emphasising that puppetry shows have vanished from the modern era of electronic and wi fi age, Grover said that the workshop aimed at generating children’s inetrests in the traditional art form. “In old days, puppet shows were the main source of entertainment as well as the medium to tell a story or to spread social messages. These days, puppet shows are organised by five-star hotels for the amusement of foreign tourists. IAFA endeavoured to rejuvenate this art by making the Summer Art Camp a regular feature. This year the enthusiasm shown by the children and their parents is praiseworthy,” he said.
	City hospital holds orthopaedic course for Indo-US doctors Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 28 An Indo-US Foot and Ankle Course for medical fraternity in collaboration with US-based Parekh Family Foundation was held here today. The two-day course was inaugurated today and attended by around 90 orthopaedic surgeons from across the country. Dr Asish Shah and Dr Jason Calhoun from US, Dr Nicholas Savva from UK and Dr Rajiv Shah from Baroda and Dr Avtar Singh attended the programme. During the lectures, multimedia presentations and group discussions the experts stated that lifestyle and age-related degenerative effects as well as congenital (birth) defects that could be corrected with minor surgery are cause of foot and ankle problems. The experts stated that surgeries could completely alter the work prospects, lifestyle, marriage prospects, restoring high mobility, posture and appearance of a person.
	FEEDBACK Company Bagh cries for attention Company Bagh Amritsar was laid by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He had named it ‘Ram Bagh’ after the name of Guru Ram Dass. The name given by the Britishers, is the present day popular name of this one time grand garden of Punjab. Last year, the garden was dug out at various sites, and the soil so dug, was taken to build a Heritage Village being artificially created. The big pits created in the garden can be seen even today filled with garbage. Old majestic trees have been rendered unsafe. It is not understood, as to how it can be justified to plunder a heritage site of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to build an artificial Heritage Village. The ASI and the state government owe an explanation to the public of Amritsar in this regard. There used to be separate area for ladies, volleyball ground and Sanglan Wali Ground. Sanglan Wali Ground was given to Lions Club for maintaining Children Park. This site was abandoned as was done in the case of a zoo. This area gives the look of a morgue and a garbage dump of the worst kind. Local Government Minister and the Chief Minister should visit this historic site to see the development. Mehar Singh Bajwa Amritsar