Jalandhar, August 1
Glaring violations and negligent attitude of school bus staff has again cost life of a four-year-old child after he fell off the bus and was hit by the rear wheel of the school bus and sustained grievous head injuries.

Aarush

This is the not only incident when school buses and autos became the cause of such mishap. Repeated mishaps has again put question mark on the role of school management and the police administration.

Deceased has been identified as four-year-old Aarush, the only child of a local industrialist Chandan Arora, owner of Aashi Exporters, and a resident of Kailash Nagar. He was student of LKG at Innocent Hearts School, Green Model area.

Incident occurred at 1 pm when the bus was ferrying around 15 schoolchildren to their homes. Driver was reportedly driving bus rash which caused mishap. Further the negligence of bus conductor, who let the bus door open, increased the chances of the untoward incident.

Due to the high speed of bus, driver couldn't notice the speed breaker. "The moment speeding bus crossed the speed breaker, Aarush, who was sitting near the door, skidded off the bus and fell on road near in front of Ramgarhia Gurudwara at the Patel chowk. After the child fell off the bus, although other children immediately raised alarm, it was too late as his head was already crushed under the tyre of same bus he was traveling," said an eyewitness.

Although the driver was driving rash, but the negligence of bus conductor, who didn't lock the bus door, caused mishap. Both has been arrested by the police under Section 304 A of the IPC. Driver Jagdip of Bashirpura said it was the negligence of bus conductor Mandeep of Bhojewal village who had let the front door open. Had the bus door been bolted, boy would have not fallen off the bus.

Principal of the school Dheeraj Banati, when asked about irregularities in plying of school bus, said that he had got the school bus inspected from the Motor Vehicle Inspector. He claimed that the bus was following all norms.

Eyewitness account

Santokh Singh of Nangal Sama, who was eyewitness to the mishap recalls, "I was sitting on the cot opposite to the Gurudwara. I suddenly heard thumping sound of a speeding bus after it crossed the speed breaker. A small boy fell off and his head got badly crushed under the tyre. It was quite shocking experience I had ever witnessed," said Singh adding that the driver and conductor left the victim child on road while attempting to flee away but were chased by the public. Meanwhile, boy was immediately taken to a private hospital in the same bus but doctors declared him brought dead.

Stray dogs eat body's flesh, cops mum

The police officials who came to investigate the scene, seemed to have forgotten humanity. After boy got crushed under the tyre, his body flesh got scattered all around the road. Stray dogs and crows throng the spot and started eating the flesh remains. "It was a sheer inhumane attitude of the police. On humanity grounds, the police should have deployed officials to prevent stray animals from eating the flesh," said an eyewitness Santokh adding that he tried his hard to shoo away dogs, but in vain. Boy's uncle Pankaj also expressed shock over the inhuman attitude of the police.

Father admitted to ICU, discharged

After boy's father Chandan got to know about mishap, he fell unconscious and was admitted to the ICU at Tagore Hospital. He, was, however, discharged, in an hour of admission.

Jalandhar, August 1
Throwing all norms of Supreme Court on the regulation of school buses to winds, school bus of Innocent Hearts School was being plied without any valid permit.

Even the mandatory speed governor was also not installed in the bus.

The police would seek report from the motor vehicle inspector and if the facts come true, a case will be registered against the school management.

Hinting action against school management, Deputy Commissioner of Police Naveen Singla confirmed that school bus was being plied without speed governor and without valid permit and other valid documents.

"We have also asked the bus driver to produce licence, but he has not produced the same yet. On the basis of fact, police can register a case against school management," he said.

Dhiraj Banati, Principal, Innocent Hearts School, didn't respond to the phone calls.

Jalandhar, August 1
Students of the Lyallpur Khalsa Collegiate Senior Secondary School have complained that their school has been charging extra fee from them for admissions.

Several students of the school said while the deadline of the admissions under the Class XII open school session was July 22, the school did not inform them in time about it due to which they were having to pay their admission fee along with extra payment of Rs 500 (for late fee) without any fault of theirs.

While as per the instructions of the PSEB, the hard copy of forms (downloadable from the PSEB website) and the fee drafts were to be submitted to the area offices board by three days from July 22. Those not being able to do so, had to pay late fee of Rs 500 within three days of the lapsed time.

Students alleged while the website of the Punjab School Education Board had fixed the deadline for the admissions at July 22, the school - in a notice released on July 25th, informed students that the last date of deposition of forms was July 29, 2014 and fee for the students is Rs 2,100 for Punjab board students and Rs 3,100 for other boards.

The notice also mentioned that those submitting fees later than that would be fined Rs 1,000 as late fee.

Students said while the PSEB late fee of Rs 500 had already been included in the original fee cited in the notice, the Rs 1,000 to be submitted as late fee as per the school notice, was further an addition to the late fee amount. Principal Professor Harbans Singh Bolina, when contacted said, "The PSEB server was not picking up registrations until July 22nd. I called up the PSEB Chairperson and the said problem was conveyed to the board. The chairperson let us know that there was a technical problem in the server owing to which the registrations were not being picked up. After the problem was sorted, the computer automatically added Rs 500 to the fee amount. This is a mechanical problem and the school is helpless in this respect. The computer automatically asks for the said amount of money. This is not a new thing but certainly this is not the students' fault either. I have conveyed to the board that students shouldn't suffer for the computer server fault. A complaint shall also be made by me on the matter. We shall also ask the board for a remittal of the extra money spent by them." Professor Bolina said so far as many as 122 students have sought admissions in the Class XII open session at the school.

Jalandhar, August 1
Despite clear instructions from the VC of their own university and the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, colleges across the district continue to defy instructions from the administration and deny admissions to SC students seeking benefits under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.

So far only one of the district colleges have relented under the instructions of the Deputy Commissionerand finally given admission to a student today, while all the other students continue to be turned away on one pretext or another.

While colleges had told the DC on Wednesday that they will provide free admissions to students under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, the principal of the Lyallpur Khalsa College today again turned away students, even later refusing to meet the tehsildar regarding the issue when the SDM-II sent him.

Beneficiaries of the scheme from the Lyallpur Khalsa College for Women, KMV College, Punjab Engineering College, among others, went to meet the Deputy Commissioner regarding the issue today. While the Deputy Commissionerwasn't available, SDM-II Jalandhar Varinder Pal Bajwa, who has been made the district nodal office for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, sent tehsildars to ensure students' admissions when the colleges refused to relent.

Later, they went to the respective colleges from where they had been seeking admissions, but barring a student of one college, who was provided admission under the scheme today, other students are yet to find favour with the respective colleges where they are applying.

While it is the third time today when a college has defied instructions from the district administrations, the SDM-II now says any more denial will call for legal proceedings against the colleges.

Talking to The Tribune SDM II Varinder Pal Bajwa said, "Meetings of the issue have been held earlier and the DC has instructed colleges to grant admissions to these students under the scheme. We shall talk to colleges again and ensure the students are given admissions by tomorrow morning. Our men have also been put on job for the same. But if colleges still do not comply with the instructions, then we will write to the Deputy Commissioner and also think of initiating appropriate legal action against those who fail to give admissions."

BSP activist Balwinder, who has been taking up the cause of SC students, all this time said, "The Deputy Commissioner their own university's VC and the state laws ask for admissions of SC students under the scheme but the colleges refuse to relent. We are after the colleges for the past seven days and admissions are still not being done. We demand strict actions against the erring institutions. We also demand the scheme be implemented in all colleges, a committee should also be made for the regular monitoring of the scheme in various colleges."

Kapurthala, August 1
Aiming to revive Kanjli as a tourist spot once again, Deputy Commissioner DS Mangat today himself plunged into a Kali Bein tributary flowing along it to uproot the water hyacinth that had grown massively in it.

The DC came along with an army of volunteers led by environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal, District Planning Committee Kapurthala chairman Sarabjit Singh Makkar, commandant of the In-service Training Centre Sudesh Kumar Agnihotri and his 200 volunteers.

Mangat said that a meeting for cleaning up the Bein was held with Seechewal on July 25 after which everyone today came as volunteers.

He said that the wild growth and algae flowing in it was removed so that the groundwater got recharged properly.

He said that the even the water pumps meant for irrigating fields in nearby areas which had dried could start working again.

He said that the edges of the Bein would be developed as a walking track for the visitors to the wetland site. He said that the tributary that started from Bein passed underneath the dense growth of trees, took the waters 10-12 km from Kapurthala and rejoined the main water body again.

He has urged the residents of surrounding areas to volunteer for the campaign that began today. He also exhorted them to act as guardians against unscrupulous elements discharging effluent into it. He said that consistent effort was required to clean up the site which had much religious importanceattached with it.

Jalandhar, August 1
Santokh Singh of Nangal Sama village alleged that 108 ambulance had refused to ferry body of his 14 days old grandson, who died at the Civil Hospital today, to their village.

"My grandson was undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital for the past six days. He was suffering from stomach infection since his birth. Today his condition deteriorated and he died. I called 108 ambulance and requested them to ferry body to my village, but they refused," he and his wife alleged while carrying body of the child.

He said he would file a complaint with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and would seek action.

Open manhole at Sheetal Nagar in Jalandhar

Jalandhar, August 1
Following an incident of fall of a 10-year-old boy in an open manhole at Sheetal Nagar, the representatives of NGO Helpline have today sought action against the officers and contractors of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewage Board.

The child was taken out of the 25-feet deep sewer line as it was yet to be connected with the main line and there was no sullage flowing through it. There have been reports that the children in the colony were playing in the area day before when the incident occurred. The boy had suffered minor injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.

The sewage board officials had been laying a line near the site and no barricading had been done around the open manholes which probably led to the incident. The line is being laid as a part of Rs 235 crore National River Conservation Project and the sewage line was to be linked with a treatment plant near Basti Peer Daad area.

State president of the NGO Ashok Sharma and district president Pankaj Sarpal were among others who have raised the demand.

Jalandhar, August 1
Members of the ETT Teachers Union has threatened to hold state-wide dharnas outside the residences of cabinet ministers Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Sikander Singh Maluka and Bikram Singh Majithia on August 3, if the government doesn't responds to their long pending request of inclusion of Panchayati Raj and Nagar Council Schools under the education department.

Members of the Elementary Teachers Union held a dharna and a hunger outside the home of cabinet minister Bhagat Chunni Lal here on Thursday. More than 250 members of the union gathered at the Adarsh Nagar Park here this morning from where they headed to the minister's residence.

While the minister was not at home, they raised slogans outside his home and about 21 members of the ETT teachers union also sat on a hunger strike. Peeved at the lack of response by the government on the issue of the bringing of Nagar Council and Zila Parishad schools under the education department, the teachers said they will unconditionally extend their support to the struggle on the issue across the state.

Union members also declared if the government did not respond on the issue soon, they will intensify their struggle. Teachers said on August 3, they will also be holding protests outside the homes of Education Minister Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Rural Development Minister Sikander Singh Maluka as well outside the residence of cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

While the home of cabinet minister Bhagat Chunni Lal was locked today, the teachers remained there all afternoon and agreed to leave the place only after being pacified by police officials present on the spot. They also submitted a memorandum to the police officials.

Meanwhile, a meeting of ETT teachers regarding the same issues was also held at the local Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall here today. Headed by the union activist Jaswant Singh Bhulhaheri, activists expressed full support for the ongoing struggle in the state to bring Nagar Council and Zila Parishad schools under the education department.

Across the state 5,752 schools which have 6 lakh students studying in them, are currently functioning under the Zila Parishad and Nagar Council. In the district, 350 schools under the Nagar Council and Zila Parishad are being run.

Members said they don't get in time any of the grants received by government schools under the Education Department.

Jalandhar, August 1
The Panther Artillery Brigade today celebrated its golden jubilee to mark the completion of 50 years of its raising.

The event was attended by previous commanders of the formation and war veterans. Col (Retd) HS Kehlon, who had won the gallantry for his bravery in 1971 war, was also present on this occasion to share his experience with the troops.

A wreath laying ceremony was held on the occasion to pay respect to the Valiant soldiers who laid down their lives for the country. A blood donation camp was also organised on July 28 where in the officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans donated blood.

HQ 15 Artillery Brigade traces its origin from 37 Artillery Brigade which was raised at Mathura on August 1, 1964. The history of the brigade is replete with the saga of unparalleled courage and professionalism of the valiant gunners. Within a year of its raising the brigade was actively involved in the 1965 war against Pakistan. Having distinguisher themselves in the 1965 war, the Panther gunners again rose to the occasion in the 1971 war when 15 Infantry Division was tasked for the defense of politically sensitive towns of Amritsar and Dera Baba Nanak.

Jalandhar, August 1
With the school for meritorious students in Jalandhar all set to start on August 4, Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav today visited the institute and took stock of the basic arrangements available for students there. In the classes to start from August 4, the students attaining 80 per cent or more marks will be taking lessons in the institute.

While applications or requests of as many as 501 students had been received for the school in Jalandhar, the DC informed that finally as many as 405 meritorious students shall be taking admissions in the school. He said the school started with the efforts of the CM shall provide education, food, hostel facilities to meritorious students. He said other special benefits available to students at the institute included good class rooms, modern education, sports facilities, vocational training and experienced teachers.

He said after the school hours arrangements will also be made to provide coaching for the students which will enable them to crack various entrance tests.

The DC claimed the school got ready in a record seven months' time and the building for the hostel was also being given final touches. DEO (secondary) Harinderpal Singh, Principal Massa Singh, Guidance Cousellor Surjit Lal, Rajiv Handa among others, were present on the occasion.

Jalandhar, August 1
Even as internationally acclaimed body-builder Varinder Singh’s new film ‘Roar’ was being awaited by lovers of both the sport and Tigers (yea, it has loads of them in it) it was a hot and pleasant surprise for movie buffs as his strength and robustness met superstar Salman Khan’s style and panache at the first launch of the film trailer in Mumbai on Thursday.

Roar-Tigers of Sunderbans is a one-of-a-kind film which beautifully captures the tumultuous relationship that man and beast share. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful albeit dangerous Sundarbans.

The duo, on the occasion also made public their continued association in the upcoming film Gama (after Punjab’s renowned wrestler Gama pehelwaan).

Gama – produced by Salman Khan will see Varinder and Sohail Khan playing the lead roles.

Meanwhile, in Roar, Varinder Singh Ghuman also known as the world’s first pure vegetarian bodybuilder, will be seen at his masculine best. The film, produced by Abis Rizvi and directed by Kamal Sadanah, is shot in Sunderbans forests in Bangladesh and India. Full of larger than life sequences, the film, featuring an adventure in the jungle gone haywire, will show man eating tigers leaping onto boats and Ghuman fighting them off.

Speaking about the experience filming Roar, Ghumman said, “During the shooting of the film, I along with other crew members lived on a ship in the uninhabitable Sunderbans in Bangladeshi territory for few weeks. Our evenings were spent on decks witnessing nature. Sometimes, the situation got trying when we were greeted by snakes, wild boars, deadly poisonous insects, salt-water crocodiles and other dangerous creatures,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking of how he made it as the Khan brothers’choice for the ambitious Gama, he said, “While training for some action rehearsals at Mehboob Studio, Salman saw me and eventually signed me for Sher Khaan. While Sher Khan got delayed, he remembered me and has now announced that he would like to shoot Gama with me. All I can say is I feel very glad to be a part of his team. Even when Sher Khan was shelved, he didn’t forget me. We kept talking and finally he gave me Gama.”

While Roar is set for a September 19 release, Varinder, who has earned acclaim from the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, will also be seen in body building championships across the world.

In 2015 Ghumman will be seen in two international championships, one in January in Australia and another in November – the IFBB Dubai Mens Open Body Building Pro Show.

Originally from Jalandhar, Ghumman carries an MA (English) degree and has starred in films - 'Kabaddi Once Again' and 'Fateh The Victory'. He is the first Asian to make it to the top line of Arnold Classic Europe - an international body-building championship -2010. Varinder is the captain of the Indian bodybuilding team and was one of the top rankers in International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness's (IFBB) bodybuilding competition. He also became the first Indian Body Builder to secure a Pro Card by IFBB in 2011 and nobody has been able to beat him till date. He also won gold medal in Australian Grand Prix 2011. He was crowned Mr India in 2009 and later Mr Asia.