Ludhiana, July 31
With hearing of a contempt-of-court petition (number 2695 of 2012) going to be held tomorrow, the tehbazari wing of the Municipal Corporation swung into action and removed illegal hoardings here today. Banners, hoardings and posters were removed from four malls while two other leading malls were spared as they had given an undertaking that they would pay taxes/user charges to the MC as and when required. The action taken report is to be presented before the Punjab and Haryana High Court tomorrow.

The tehbazari wing of Zone D removed illegal hoardings from the malls, including Flames, Silver Arc, Omaxe and Ansal Plaza. Two leading malls on the Ferozepur road, Westend and MBD Mall, were “spared”.

When asked why these two malls were spared, the Superintendent, Zone D, Jasdev Singh Sekhon, said he took action as per the instructions issued by the Headquarters, Tehbazari and Advertisements.

The Superintendent, Tehbazari and Advertisements (Headquarters), Manoj Kumar, however, said the authorities had taken an undertaking from these two malls that they would adhere to the advertisement policy of the civic body and pay the taxes. “The civic body is yet to decide the fees/user charges,” said the official.

Many things about the display of advertisements in the city and on the malls are still unclear. The issue has always been in controversy as “bigwigs” are involved. As per the existing advertisement policy, the advertisements on the sites, which are not permitted by the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, should be removed. But a large number of advertisements and huge hoardings can be seen at the bus stand.

An advertiser said today’s action was an eyewash as an action taken report had to be presented before the court tomorrow. “Why have they spared the two malls on the Ferozepur road? Undertakings could have been taken from the others too but they were never asked to do so. There were fewer posters or banners on the targeted than those which have been ‘spared’,” he said.

Ludhiana, July 31
After stealing the purse of a soldier’s wife a week ago, the auto-rickshaw gang struck again and duped a migrant worker of his valuables.

However, sources said the police were close to solving the case and even registered a case against three persons, Raju Singh of Anand Vihar, Vijay Kumar of Preet Nagar and Raju of the Dugri area, for stealing the gold ornaments and cash belonging to a migrant.

Narrating the incident, Uma Shanker, a native of Uttar Pradesh, who resides at Jassowal Colony in the Jodhewal Basti area, said on July 28, he returned from his native village. On reaching the railway station, he hired an auto-rickshaw. Two men were already sitting in the vehicle, claimed Uma Shanker.

The driver dropped the two passengers at Chand Cinema. On reaching the Salem Tabri area, the driver stopped the vehicle, saying that it had developed some snag. He told Uma Shanker to hire another auto-rickshaw. As Uma Shanker alighted from the auto-rickshaw, the driver sped away.

When he reached the house and opened his suitcase, he was shocked to find Rs 6,000 cash and gold ornaments worth Rs 42,000 missing.

Ludhiana, July 31
Finally, after 19 years, the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) is getting a facelift. The building, which houses offices related to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), is being spruced up at an estimated cost of Rs 13 lakh.

Avtar Singh, Assistant Project Officer at the office, said: “We brought the issue to the notice of Isha Kalia, former Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development). The office had not been whitewashed and repaired for the past 19 years. She agreed to our request and asked the XEN, Panchayati Raj, to call tenders for the same. The officer concerned called tenders and awarded the work to a government authorised agency.”

Toilets are being completely renovated. Electricity fittings are being replaced with new ones. An amount of Rs 5 lakh will be spent on installing new electricity fittings while Rs 8 lakh will be spent on whitewash and the renovation of the toilets.

The repairs will be finished before August 15. An employee said: “It gives a very good feeling that now we will work in a neat and clean environment.” Another employee said: “The renovation will of course increase work efficiency of the staff.”

Ludhiana, July 31
A newlywed woman has accused the women’s cell in charge, Kulwant Kaur, of thrashing her and her in-laws. The woman, identified as Riya Dhir, was rushed to the Civil Hospital.

Riya Dhir was married to Vishant Dhir in October last year. However, the marriage did not work well and Riya filed a complaint against her husband and in- laws.

Riya said she was called at the women’s cell office to record her statement this morning. She had an argument with her husband Vishant at the office.

Riya said instead of saving her, Kulwant Kaur joined Vishant in thrashing her.

She said she managed to come out of the office and raised the alarm. Riya was rushed to the hospital.

Despite repeated attempts, Kulwant Kaur was not available for comments. While speaking to The Tribune, ADCP Paramjit Singh Pannu denied the involvement of Kulwant Kaur in the thrashing incident.

“I came to know that the couple had entered into a heated argument and Kulwant Kaur was trying to separate them. However, I have marked an inquiry into the issue and action will be taken against the culprit,” said Pannu.

Ludhiana, July 31
A youth was caught red-handed while he was stealing money from the donation box of a gurdwara at Jodhewal Basti. The gurdwara authorities had recently installed close circuit television (CCTV) cameras when they found the donation amount was decreasing day by day.

The accused has been identified as Som Nath, a resident of the Bahadurke Road area at Jodhewal Basti. The case has been registered on a complaint of Rajinder Singh of New Basant Vihar in the Jodhewal area.

Rajinder Singh has stated in his complaint that he is the president of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Jodhewal Basti. The gurdwara received an averages donation of around to Rs 25,000. But for the past four or five months, the donation was on the decline.

Suspecting that someone was stealing money from the donation box, the gurdwara authorities installed close circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the premises of the gurdwara.

Yesterday, Som Nath entered the gurdwara on the pretext on paying obeisance. After bowing before Guru Granth Sahib, Som Nath sat in a corner. When there was no one else in the hall, he went to the donation box and stole money from it with the help of a wire. The entire theft was caught on the CCTV cameras.

The gurdwara authorities caught the thief red-handed and handed him to the police. The accused was presented before a court, which send him to remand.

Ludhiana, July 31
“Munshi Premchand must be someone working in a court,” said an undergraduate student of a college when asked about the most celebrated Hindi writer in this subcontinent. Another youngster said: “I think he is a famous personality from the field of painting in Mumbai.”

This reflects the young generation’s knowledge about this great Hindi writer who based his writings on realism and highlighted the problems of different sections of society in his simple but touching stories. It is ironical that the city, which has a number of literary organisations, has failed to remember this celebrated writer on his birth anniversary today (July 31). However, at functions organised by these organisations from time to time, a few authors had not forgotten to refer to Munshi Premchand while comparing the works of his contemporaries.

Dr Mukesh Arora, Professor and head of Hindi Department, SCD Government College for Boys, said: “Owing to an important meeting of the Panjab University Senate I was away to Chandigarh. But Professor Rajinder Jain from the college held an interactive session with the students of Hindi Sahitya Parishad of MA-I and MA-II (Hindi) on Munshi Premchand. “Dr Arora agreed that different organisations should come together to hold a function to encourage the youth to be associated with old literature.”

Yashpal Bangi, who has been general secretary of the Punjab Hindi Parishad for the last many years, said: “We were planning to hold a event but due to the sudden demise of Dr GS Maan, our convener, it could not materialise.” He, too, admitted the city-based organisations had forgotten to hold any event in the memory of the celebrated Hindi writer. Bangi said: “The real tributes to Munshi Premchand will be keeping the young generation well informed about the great author, so they can use his references to enrich their conversation.”

Karamjit Grewal, a Punjabi writer, said: “While venturing out at night during the winter, I come across many living characters of Munshi Prem Chand’s stories such as “Poos ki Raat”, in which Halkoo gets warmth in the company of his dog, “habra”. But in this city of materialistic people, none has time to correlate them with the characters of Munshi Premchand’s stories.”

Munshi Premchand had written more than 300 short stories, including “Poos ki Raat”, “Idgaah”, “Boodhi Kaaki”, “Atmaram” and “Kafan”. He had also written many novels, including “Godaan”, “Rangbhumi”, “Nirmala”, “Karambhumi” and “Gaban”.

Kammon Dhir, an avid reader, said: “Munshi Premchand will always remain alive in his readers’ heart.”

Ludhiana, July 31
The doctors of Indian Medical Association, Ludhiana, are anguished at the recent incident of ‘hooliganism’ at the Arora Nursing Home, Baba Than Singh Chowk, by certain unscrupulous elements.

The IMA doctors maintained that medical professionals were trained to prevent diseases and treat a person if he/she fells ill. Many a times despite best efforts, doctors were not able to cure the patient.

In this specific case, a patient named Neera (name changed), who was suffering from acute asthma with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, was admitted at Arora Nursing Home on July 20 in a critical condition. After initial stabilization, relatives of the patient were told to shift her to CMC Hospital as the prognosis was poor.

But the family did not do so, instead gave consent that the treatment be continued at Arora Nursing Home only. The patient again became critical and attendants were again informed to shift her to CMCH, maintained the doctors today.

They further added that despite their best efforts, the patient could not be saved. On provocation by self-styled NGOs or social organisations, some of the relatives created ruckus and pelted stones at the hospital, alleged the doctors.

The president, IMA, Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, said there were several forums for the redressal of the grievances of the patients. Dr Sharma added, “Patients and their relatives should not indulge into any kind of violence against doctors or hospital staff when provocated by so-called mohalla leaders/local politicians/black-mailers and self-styled mischievous NGO leaders.”

The IMA doctors demanded that all those who were indulged in the violence should be booked. Government or Administration should make it sure that no such dharna be allowed in front of any hospital in case of any such eventuality.

Ludhiana, July 31
All the registered medical doctors registered with the Punjab Medical Council have been advised to give advertisements only as per the Code of Medical Ethics.

Officials said some of the doctors had been indulged in the wrong practices of giving unethical advertisement in the press which had invited disciplinary action. The PMC said guidelines should be strictly followed by the medical professionals. The PMC added that information could be shared by doctors on starting practice, on change of type of practice, on changing address, on temporary absence from duty, on resumption of another practice, on succeeding to another practice, public declaration of charges, acquiring new equipment or starting a new procedure. — TNS

Ludhiana, July 31
The Municipal Corporation has issued notices to over 400 defaulters in the interior of the city to remove their encroachments or action will be taken against them as per law.

According to available information, the notices have been served by the Building Branch of Zone A. As many as 261 notices have been served to violators in Chaura Bazar, 148 notices have been slapped to shopkeepers in Karimpura area while 30 and nine notices have been served on violators in Gur Mandi and Talab Bazaar, respectively.

The civic body has served three days’ notices, asking shopkeepers to remove their permanent encroachments on their own or be ready to face the music. Complying orders of the High Court, the notices have been issued. The next date of hearing of the particular case- Contempt of Court Petition 27 of 2013 is on September 9. The case is between Rohit Sabharwal vs Rakesh Verma.

The court has already made it clear that permanent encroachments had to be removed at any cost from these areas. It may be mentioned here that similar notices were served before during the tenure of MC Commissioner Shruti Singh but no compliance was made.

Ludhiana, July 31
Temporary encroachments were removed from Jawahar Nagar Camp here today. The stocks of about half a dozen shops were taken by the tehbazari wing of Zone D.

Ludhiana, July 31
Deputy Magistrate, Ludhiana, Rajat Aggarwal has extended the ban on hookah bar under Section 144 of the IPC. He said restaurants could not offer hookahs to the visitors. These orders are to be followed by all commercial establishments falling under the municipal corporation, municipal councils and villages in Ludhiana district.

Aggarwal said any person found violating these orders would be punished under Section 188 of the IPC.

District Magistrate said Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, apprised him of the fact that a number of hookah bars were operational in the district. He said these bars were serving tobacco molasses, containing nicotine, which was highly injurious to health, especially of minors.

Ludhiana, July 31
High drama took place outside Dugri police station last night after a woman along with her family members and area residents staged dharna against Station House Officer (SHO) inspector Paramjit Singh.

The woman identified as Varinder Kaur and her brother Sarabjit Singh raised slogans against SHO Paramjit Singh for shielding Arundeep Singh from Panchkula, Varinder Kaur’s husband, against whom she had filed a threat complaint.

Besides, Varinder Kaur has filed a dowry complaint against Arundeep Singh. The special investigating team (SIT) constituted by the Commissioner of Police is probing into the allegations as the couple was married for 14 years.

Varinder Kaur’s brother Sarabjit Singh alleged that Arundeep along with his accomplice had forcibly entered their house on Saturday night and threatened the family of dire consequences and told them to withdraw the dowry complaint. Sarabjit said Arundeep along with his accomplice left the scene brandishing his pistol.

“We had informed the police immediately after the incident but the cops did not take any action against Arundeep. Fearing for our life we informed senior officers about the incident. Finally yesterday, Arundeep was called at the police station to record his statement. We kept sitting outside the police station till late evening. During the night, SHO Paramjit Singh told us to go home. We were shocked by the response of the SHO. We were left with no alternative but to mark our protest against the SHO’s high-handedness,” said Sarabjit.

On the other hand, SHO, Dugri, Paramjit Singh refused to comment on the episode. “I cannot comment, a committee has been formed to brief media, you better ask them about the last night’s episode,” he said. Arundeep’s mobile number remained switched off. Despite repeated attempts he could not be contacted for comments.

Ludhiana, July 31
English Prof KBS Sodhi said it was the city’s attitude towards literature and other finer arts, apart from increasing materialism which is not letting any literary talent in English to flourish and come up here.

The city lacks enough English writers.

Dr Sodhi has formed a forum of writers of English, but barring a couple of them, only a few of them are in their youth.

He said earlier there used to be literary societies of students of writers of English in colleges, but now such units have disappeared.

“After making the forum for English writers, now we will visit colleges to revive such literary societies so that youths can be engaged in writing English literature,” Dr Sodhi said.

Rohit, a local resident, said though some English medium schools had been carrying out activities in classes to encourage activities like story and poem writing, so far these had failed to produce any recognised or award-winning writers in English. Schools in the city need to have an environment to produce writers of literature in all languages and in English as well.

Though there had been writers in Punjabi, hardly any young writer in English language exists here, he said.

“I think schools could initiate efforts to help the children get into the habit of writing literature from an early age,” said Supreet Singh, a resident.

Though young writers have been emerging and there is a good literary environment in cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, Jaipur, Kasauli and Shimla, the same lacks in Ludhiana, he said.

“We aim at creating such environment for young English writers with the formation of such a forum,” Dr Sodhi added.

Ludhiana, July 31
Noted make-up artist Ritu Kolentine was in the city for a fashion show being organised at Hyatt Regency. The make-up artist said Punjabi brides just want to look the best and be the cynosure of all eyes. She said weddings in Punjab are like week-long celebrations and are celebrated like festivals particularly in Ludhiana. She has visited the city several times to do bridal make-up for wedding functions.

Ritu said brides these days need a lot of grooming in terms of make-up as to how to look their best not only before and during the wedding days, but afterwards as well because they move to a completely new environment and home. So, the importance of self-grooming is increasing these days, she says. Saree-tying and self make-up techniques are included in the grooming part.

The artist added that she had taught many young make-up artists and when her students work with her and perform well, that was what gives her an enthusiasm to do better. She said she plans to open a beauty-centre in the city as well. The beauty centres here are performing a good job and it is quite impressive, she said.

Rather than getting smeared with the Ramlila look, brides these days want to look natural and keep the make-up simple than too loud or conspicuous.

“Techniques such as air-brushing are used nowadays as brides want to look their natural best, even after applying heavy make-up, she added.

Apart from the make-up, diet and good health contribute to good looks, so she says that her staff also counsels the brides about dieting. So, the make-up lessons may also include salads, juices and soups.

Ludhiana, July 31
An awareness seminar on the ill-effects of drug abuse was organised at St Thomas School, near Christian Medical College (CMC), here today.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Nilambari Jagdale.

While addressing the students she spoke at length about the menace of drugs and how it was ruining the precious live of youngsters.

She also appealed to the students not to fell into the trap of drug peddlers and inform the police about such anti-social elements so that they could be brought to book. After addressing the gathering, DCP also interacted with the students and encouraged them to serve the society.

She sought public support to eradicate the menace of drugs from society. The students of Government Senior Secondary School (Lakkar Bazar) staged a play on the menace of drugs.

Other senior police officer and school authorities were also present at the seminar.

Ludhiana, July 31
Though there was an excitement among local residents regarding tree plantation drives recently, with many of them also demanding that the ‘tree plantation day’ must be observed every year, several residents were unaware that a week in the name of Vana Mahotsava is already celebrated across the country every year.

Many of the residents said they were not aware of Vana Mahotsava while some of them were not aware about the time of the year when it was celebrated.

Though the annual tree plantation festival was started in 1950 in the country by the then Union Minister of Agriculture, there is an ignorance about it in the city.

However, there is some awareness among parents about it as the festival is celebrated in schools.

“Every citizen of the country is expected to plant saplings during the Vana Mahotsava week, but a few plant trees here during the festival. Usually, it is only organised in government or private educational institutions,” said Sarabjit, a resident.

The festival was more significant than other festivals as it could have a positive impact on society, but due to lack of awareness only a few people celebrate it, he added.

“Residents must know that planting trees was the need of the hour so they should plant trees regularly to celebrate nature,” said another resident.

Ludhiana, July 31
An RTI activist Kuldeep Khaira has raised concern over the working of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana. Khaira said he filed an online complaint regarding an encroachment in Model Town extension on July 18 (complaint number 1825). But it was shocking to know that the complaint has been forwarded to Rajinder Sharma, who was ATP Zone D and has been transferred from Ludhiana since June 15, 2014.

“The complaint has been forwarded to an official who was no longer with the MC, Ludhiana. God knows how the MC works here,” rued Khaira.

Samrala, July 31
Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani said Punjab will be a drug-free state in the coming one and a half year. He said this while laying the foundation stone of drug de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital, Samrala.

The cost of the centre is Rs 53 lakh. He said Punjab government will open such centres in all 22 districts of the state. He said the government is fighting a battle against drugs under Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and 16,000 persons had been cured from the menace of drugs.

He further gave information that about 3 lakh 68 thousand addicts had so far visited the government hospitals while 1 lakh 60 thousand persons have been checked at anti-drug addiction centres of the state. He declared that there is no shortage of medicines and about 200 doctors have been imparted special training for this purpose. Specialised doctors will treat drug addicts by all means for the welfare of the addicts, he added.

On the demand of BJP leaders he directed the authorities to re-open a closed blood bank of the hospital within a week. Former MLA Jagjivan Singh Khirnia, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, SMO Samrala and other concerned were also present on the occasion.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 31
Unauthorised use of goods carriers for carrying passengers has emerged as a major factor behind loss of life and property in road accidents in this part of Malwa.

The victims included devotees visiting religious places collectively during special occasions including fairs and religious congregations.

For obvious reason of appeasing heads of religious sects and their followers, successive governments have failed to initiate action against those who have been responsible for deaths of a large number of devotees traveling in vehicles meant for transporting goods only.

Investigations revealed that use of trucks, tractor-trolleys and tempos had brought misery to many families whose breadwinners were either killed or injured in road accidents due to varied reasons.

Unlike mishaps involving buses and cars, where occupants were relatively safe in the cover of the vehicle, those travelling in unsafe commercial vehicles were more prone to serious and fatal injuries.

The problem was compounded in case where the owners and drivers of these vehicles had made temporary arrangements to accommodate maximum number of persons. Creating multiple platforms and extending length of the vehicle are common methods to decrease cost of traveling per person.

In a recent incident two persons were killed and at least forty were injured, when a tempo carrying them and around fifteen of their companions, overturned near Kup Kalan village on Ludhiana Malerkotla road near here.

As none of the victims or relatives of the deceased wanted legal action in the matter no case was registered against the driver of owners of the vehicle.

Though majority of such cases had failed to draw attention of the administration the traffic wing of the Punjab Police had directed that vehicles used for transporting goods would not be used for ferrying passengers, about nine years ago.

It was after 19 devotees were killed in a head-on collision between a truck and a canter near Beas on Jallandhar-Amritsar highway, that then in-charge of state traffic police IG SK Sharma had advised all DIGs and SSPs to immediately initiate action against the erring drivers under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

Nearly 60 devotees were travelling in a canter, even though the vehicle was meant for carrying goods, and not passengers.

According to the direction given then, the driver was liable to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 192 of the MV Act for the first offence.

In the case of second or subsequent violations, the driver is liable to be punished with imprisonment extending up to two years.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 31
With intent to perpetuate peace and communal harmony in the region, office-bearers and activists of various organisations of local town and surrounding localities vowed to adopt teachings of Prophet Mohammad in their life.

Oath was taken in response to call made by organisers of Eid Milan and Installation Ceremony of Rotary Club held at the Malerkotla Club, last night.

Amjad Ali presided over the concluding session and district governor Pardeep Kumar Chehal was the chief guest.

Speakers including Hafiz Latif, Amjad Ali, Pardeep Chehal and Rafiq Mohammad asserted that Islam was the most peaceful religion in the world. He said, if the world follows the teachings of Prophet Mohammad there would not be any violence in the world and resources being wasted on preparation of war and defense could be channeled for development of the region.

“Rotarians being members of an international organisation and belonging to vast variety of community could help spread elements of Islam universally. Eid should be celebrated to resolve hatred as it has no place in our lives,” said Hafiz Latif.

Social activists led by past president Avtar Krishan Sharma vowed to associate with the movement launched by Rotary Club Malerkotla against the radicalism based on caste and creed.

Payal, July 31
Owners and managers of the various commercial organisations including banks and private financial institutes were advised to enhance preventive vigilance on their premises.

Besides ensuring security of cash and valuables kept at these organizations, the authorities should take comprehensive measures to minimise risk by persuading their clients to adopt alternate channels of money transactions.

Addressing a meeting of managers and cash officers of various branches of commercial banks and financial organisations of Payal and Malaudh areas, Balwinder Singh Bhikhi, deputy superintendent of police, Payal, said extra alertness on part of all concerned would shatter sinister designs of miscreants who normally become active during festival season.

“Though we have made enough security arrangements for the safety and security of all concerned, your cooperation is most important,” said Bhikhi, while taking to the officials of banks.

Bhikhi said people should be asked to open accounts with banks of their choice so that cash transactions should be minimised and proceeds of all types could be transferred through cheques and other modes to their accounts. Functionality of emergency alarms, CCTV cameras and weapons were checked by the policemen.

The police advised managers of various banks to ensure that clients were warned against consequences of disclosing IDs and passwords to unknown persons.

Machhiwara, July 31
The Police have claimed to have recovered three tractor-trolleys used for illegal sand mining in the area.

As per information from SHO Machiwara Manjinder Singh, a police party spotted a tractor-trolley filled with stolen sand near main chowk. The police party stopped the tractor and arrested the driver. The tractor-trolley was impounded by the police. Another police party on information stopped a tractor trolley near Shatabgarh village. The driver managed to escape while the tractor-trolley was taken impounded by the police.

In another incident, a police party spotted a tractor-trolley near Garhi Tarkhana village. The driver of the tractor on seeing the police party fled from the scene leaving tractor-trolley. The vehicle was impounded by the police. Cases were registered against the one held and other unidentified persons. — OC

Ludhiana, July 31
A 30-year-old man was seriously injured in acid attack. The victim identified as Sita Ram was rushed to hospital with multiple burn marks.

Sita Ram stated that last night when he was sleeping in his house and four unidentified persons entered the premises and threw acid on him. After throwing acid the accused fled the scene.

Ludhiana, July 31
Sarthak Jain along with Karanveer Singh, Arnam Jain and Punjab champion Lakshya Sharma scripted victories to book their berths in the semifinals in the boys Under-10 category on the third day of the Open Ludhiana District Badminton Tournament for Sub-Junior Boys and Girls being held at Shastri Hall near Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the first quarterfinal, Lakshya faced a little challenge from his opponent Ekamjot Singh whom he outplayed 21-8, 21-13 and advanced into the last four stage. The second quarterfinal was played between Sarthak Jain and Akshit Gupta in which the former came out triumphant with ease 21-6, 21-7.