Ludhiana, August 1
Residents of Rajguru Nagar Colony, developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), are a harassed lot as several gates installed on public roads and streets remain closed most of the time. The authorities have failed to act against the offenders despite repeated pleas by the local residents.

Gurcharan Singh, a former principal and resident of the colony, said seven gates had been put up in B Block of the colony last year either by the local residents or by the Resident Welfare Societies. Of these, five gates remain permanently locked. The residents moving in or out of the colony, or other visitors to Rajguru Nagar have access only through gate number 1 (near house no. 292-B) and gate no. 6 near the tubewell.

Residents maintained that the public roads and streets were government property, and putting up gates on thorough fares to deny people the right to passage was tantamount to encroachment and was an illegal act.

Gurcharan Singh and other residents of the colony said the LIT authorities had failed to act against the permanently locked gates in the colony despite several representations having been made to the authorities.

Officials of the engineering branch of the LIT admitted that putting up gates on the public streets and roads, especially thorough fares, was against the law and it was treated as an encroachment on government land.

“But the gates put up in Rajguru Nagar, or for that matter most other colonies of the Trust, are not the sole examples as the practice is prevalent in other localities under the Municipal Corporation, PUDA and GLADA, the officials said, adding that the issue of inconvenience caused to the public on account of these gates was under consideration of the higher authorities of the LIT.

Following a directive of the MC, the LIT had made a proposal to make it mandatory for the representative bodies of residents to keep all such gates open from 5 am to 10 pm and also deploy security guards at the gates, so access to public roads and streets was not denied to residents at any time.

Ludhiana, August 1
The students at Senior Secondary School for Meritorious Students will get books free of cost. Earlier, the department had asked the students to arrange for plus one books on their own.

The Education Department will also pay for the uniforms of the students. The parents and teachers organisations have demanded for the provision of free books and uniform to students.

The project director, The Society for Promotion of Quality Education for Poor and Meritorious Students of Punjab, has issued instructions that students will get the books from the school for this academic session.

According to the fresh directions by the project director, the students would come to the school with the books and notebooks of class X, a mattress as per the requirement and clothes and shoes for routine use. Those selected for the medical and commerce groups have been asked to report at the school from 9 am to 12 pm on August 3.

The students, who have opted for non-medical stream, have been asked to report on August 4. They will stay in the hostel after August 4.

During a visit to the school, it was learnt that the renovation of the boys’ hostel of SCD Government College, which was vacated for girls of the meritorious school, is still going on. The workers were painting the walls and giving the final touches to the rooms. The fans were being installed.

The officials of the Education Department claimed that the renovation work would be completed before August 4. The boys will stay in the school building till the completion of the work at the boys’ hostel.

Ludhiana, August 1
Science Express - Biodiversity Special (SEBS), an innovative mobile exhibition mounted on a specially designed 16-coach AC train, will reach the local railway station tomorrow and will remain here from August 2 to 5. The exhibition will start from 10 am.

The Science Express is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (M0EF). The aim behind the initiative is to make the public aware about biodiversity and climate change.

The Science Express will tour across India in six phases. In Phase III, it will visit two stations of Punjab, Ludhiana and Tarn Taran. It would remain at Tarn Taran from August 12 to 14.

Talking to The Tribune, Krishna Munne, Science Communicator at the Science Express, said the exhibition would be open to all and entry is free. He said: “We have asked the local schools and the District Education Office to encourage the students and teachers to visit the train. The students who will work in the laboratory on the train will be awarded with certificates”.

Jagraon, August 1
A middle-aged man was killed under mysterious circumstances at his house late last night. The deceased has been identified as Gurpreet Singh (42), a resident of Mohalla Ravidaspura on the Lajpat Rai road here. Gurpreet Singh was an employee of Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (Punsup) in Ludhiana.

When Jasvir Kaur, wife of the deceased, went to serve him dinner in his room, she found him lying lifeless on the bed. She started crying. On hearing her cries, a large number of local residents gathered there.

Meanwhile, some residents informed the police. Soon, a police team, led by the Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Bikramjit Singh, reached the spot and took the body in its custody. Jagraon DSP Surinder Kumar also visited the spot.

According to Jasvir Kaur, after returning from his Ludhiana office late last evening, Gurpreet took a bath and asked her to serve him dinner. “After preparing the dinner, when I went to his room, I found him lying dead on the bed,” Jasvir Kaur told the police.

According to sources, drug overdose might be the reason behind his death. Gurpreet Singh was a chronic drug addict. The area residents said Gurpreet was a drug addict and he often quarreled with the members of his family.

The police handed the dead body to his family. The SHO said the exact cause of the death could be established only after the police got the viscera report.

Ludhiana, August 1
Residents were elated after Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria announced last year that a world-class library would be built at Guru Nanak Bhawan. More than a year has passed, but work on the project is yet to take off.

The mayor visited Guru Nanak Bhawan in June last year to inspect the site for the public library last year. He said a world-class library would be complete by December last year.

Residents feel the lack of will on the part of the government and the civic body is not allowing the library plans to take off. “I think good libraries in every locality are the need of the hour. But if a world-class library is built in a central place like Guru Nanak Bhawan, it would give a fillip to reading and library culture in the city,” said Amandeep Singh, a resident.

“Although many libraries exist in the city, there is no state-of-the-art library. Digital search capabilities, great infrastructure and reading environment would go a long way in getting the curious and literary minds together, which will be a great thrust to reading, study, research and literary activities,” said Rohit. “I wonder how long will the residents wait to have modern libraries in the city,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gohalwaria said the library work had remained pending because of the lack of funds. The money received from the government is used to pay salaries, repaying the loans and electricity bills, leaving the civic body with little funds to spend on initiatives such as library. “But I want to give a world-class library to the city, which cannot be built without adequate funds,” he said. They are planning to generate more revenue sources for the civic body, he said.

Ludhiana, August 1
Teachers have opposed the proposed Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Act-2014, which will reportedly deprive them from the right to protest.

The Democratic Employees Front said the implementation of the Act would deprive the teachers, workers and employees from the right to protest.

The teachers said the state government wanted to curb the voice of the people being raised against it.

Ramanjit Singh, office-bearer of the Democratic Employees Front, said this Act was against the “freedom of expression”.

Sukhwinder Leel, another teacher, said: “The government wants to curb the voice of people. All workers and employees should unite and stand against this Act”.

The Government Teachers’ Union, Punjab, gave a call to hold a district-level protest on August 5 against the non-fulfilment of promises made before the Lok Sabha elections. The Master Cadre Union, Punjab, also gave a call to organise a protest against pending demands in Patiala on August 17. —TNS

Ludhiana, August 1
A delegation of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) today met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley under the leadership of Pankaj Munjal, past president, All-India Cycle Association, regarding the problems faced by the industry, especially the bicycle industry.

The organisation requested the Finance Minister to abolish 2 per cent central excise on bicycle.

They demanded the Technology Upgradation Fund (TUF) scheme for the bicycle industry like the textile industry so that they could upgrade the technology with changing times and increase market share in the global market.

Central excise exemption limit at present is Rs 1.5 crore, which is on the lower side keeping in mind the inflation. This limit should be raised to Rs 3 crore. — TNS

Ludhiana, August 1
World Breastfeeding Week is being celebrated from August 1 to August 7 and the theme for this year is “Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life”.

One must be cautious about what foods and drinks are best during 
lactation.

“Eating a variety of different foods while breastfeeding will change the flavour of your breast milk. This will expose your baby to different tastes, which may help him/her accept solid foods,” said Dr Nalini Acharaya, a city based gynaecologist.

“You may need to eat a little more (400 to 500 calories a day). To get extra calories, opt for nutrient-rich choices such as a slice of whole grain bread with a tablespoon of peanut butter, a banana or an apple, and eight ounces of fat-free yoghurt. Opt for a variety of whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables,” she added.

It’s important for mothers to stay hydrated. Eight glasses of water and other liquids are a must.

“Breastfeeding which is natural and affordable, as compared to artificial feeding, needs to be protected, promoted and supported by all.

Early and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, adequate and appropriate complementary feeding along with breastfeeding after six months are key interventions for improving a child’s survival.

Moreover, early and exclusive breastfeeding improves newborn care and reduces neonatal mortality, which contributes to a majority of infant deaths,” said Dr Rajinder Gulati, head of the paediatric department, Civil Hospital. 

Ludhiana, August 1
It was time for glitz and glamour in the city as models sashayed down the ramp, swaggering in fashionable outfits, in sync to the beats of music, waving their dresses and wowing the audience. Kingfisher Ultra Fashion Tour at Hyatt Regency brought noted designer Jattinn Kochhar.

 He walked the ramp with his showstopper Miss Asia Pacific World 2012 Himangini Singh Yadu after presenting his predominantly black collection named Bleeding Lust. City fashionistas and residents replenished their fashion appetite after the long gap of a big fashion event in the city. The collection comprised evening gowns, jumpsuits, cocktail dresses and the uniquely exotic sari gowns embellished with intricate embroidery. Created using an amalgamation of natural fabrics, lustrous sequin sheeting, brocade, net, jersey, delicate lace and rich synthetics, the collection was liked by residents.

“Although it was kind of short fashion show, with only two designers presenting their collections, it was good,” said a resident. City-based designer Sheetal Lyall also showcased her collection ‘Dawn to Dusk’. Georgette, silk chiffons, nets and stretch nets, the collection also had a touch of zaree and applique work gave a unique look to the collection. Former Miss India World Natasha Suri walked the ramp for Lyall. A party after the fashion show and DJs from Dubai got the visitors dance to the beats of rocking numbers.

Ludhiana, August 1
India Travel Mart, a three-day travel and tourism exhibition, will be organised from August 2 to August 4 at Hotel Le Baron, Ferozepur Road. It will feature travel boards and organisations from India and abroad at one place.

The three-day travel mart will have international travel boards, organisations and delegates interacting with the visitors face-to-face and giving them firsthand account of the destination and its specialty, along with a special price. — TNS

Ludhiana, August 1
A day after members of Indian Medical Association held a protest against ‘hooliganism’ at Arora Nursing Home, Baba Than Singh Chowk, the victim’s family blocked a road outside the hospital today. 

The protesters said the victim, Jyoti, lost her life due to doctors’ negligence. The family members said her treatment was stopped after they were unable to deposit fee. The doctors said they had asked Jyoti’s family to shift her to the CMC Hospital.

Apprehending a threat, nurses urged the authorities to step up security. 

Players in action; and (below) winners of the Ludhiana District Badminton Tournament for Sub-Junior Boys and Girls in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana, August 1
Arnam Jain and Arunimapal hogged limelight clinching two titles each in the U-10 category in the Ludhiana District Badminton Tournament for Sub-Junior Boys and Girls that concluded at Shastri Hall near Guru Nanak Stadium today. They romped home victorious in the singles as well as doubles in the U-10 category.

In the boys section, Arnam Jain emerged victor as his opponent Punjab champion Lakshya Sharma opted out mid way in the first set. Lakshya who underwent a surgery recently and had not recovered fully was trailing by one point (5-6) when he decided not to continue with it and conceded the match. Thus, the match was awarded to Arnam Jain.

Earlier, in the doubles final, pair of Arnam Jain and Lakshya Sharma outwitted Karanveer Singh and Sarthak Jain 21-4, 21-12 to bag the title.

Likewise, in the girls’ section, Arunimapal proved too good for Samridhi Bharadwaj whom she 
overpowered easily 21-7, 21-5 to lift the title in the girls singles and then she was paired with Samridhi to tame the duo of Prisha Soni and Sana Singh 21-6, 21-4 to clinch the doubles’ title.