R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar

Sikhs protest in Jaipur : Large numbers of Sikhs from Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh, Kota, Alwar and Bharatpur districts protested the denial of entry to a baptised Sikh Rajasthan Pre Medical Test centre at Kota on July 27, in Jaipur on Monday. Jagwinder Singh of Chak 10LNP village of Sriganganagar was not allowed to enter the centre as he was sporting “kada” and “kirpan” as per religious traditions. 

Chandigarh

No entrance test for MBA: Punjabi University, Patiala, has allowed admission to the MBA course without an entrance test at its regional centre in Talwandi Sabo. Dr Amandeep Singh, head, Punjabi University School of Business Studies, said the decision, which would benefit a number of students, had been taken by Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh.

Fatehgarh Sahib

Plantation drive launched: The administration launched a tree plantation drive in the district on Monday by organising a function here. Arun Sekhri, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the tree by planting a sapling. Gurmeet Singh Chauhan, Senior Superintendent of Police, was also present. More than 200 saplings were planted on day one of the drive.

Man held with 2 kg opium : The local police have arrested Hardeep Singh of Sirhind and seized 2 kg of opium from his possession. Assistant Sub Inspector Satwinder Singh said a police team intercepted Hardeep for routine checking. On a search, the police seized 2 kg of opium from his possession. A case under the NDPS Act had been registered, he said.

Hoshiarpur

MC staff strike continue: The Municipal Wokers Union and Nagar Palika Karamchari Mahasangh continued to strike work on Monday. They have been demanding revocation of transfers of Class III employees, abolition of contract system and regularisation of their services. Employee union leader Kulwant Singh said: "We have been protesting for our genuine demands for long. We are always given false promises that are never fulfilled. If the government failed to meet our demands we will intensify our stir."

Ludhiana

Medical camp held : Over 450 persons availed of free medical facility provided during a cardiac and neurology check-up camp organised by the DMCH in association with Jal Sewa Sanstha. Patients underwent ECG and blood sugar test during the camp.

phagwara

Boy killed, 10 hurt in mishap: A teenaged boy, Bittu, was killed while 10 others were injured when a commercial vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer near Rampur Sunnrra village on the Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road during the early hours on Monday. The injured were admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The condition of two of them was stated to be critical. They were referred to a Ludhiana hospital. The victims were returning from Himachal Pradesh.

CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh

Ailing boy needs help : An 11-year-old boy suffering from cancer (Ewings sarcoma) is in need of help. The patient, Anil, is being treated at the PGI. His father, Ram Khelawan, is a daily-wage earner and is struggling to meet the expenses: around Rs 2.5 lakh for one-year treatment. Good Samaritans wishing to help this Mansa-based family can contact on 09041827353. 

Panchkula

Handwashing Day : Handwashing Day was observed at Satluj Public School, Sector 4. The event was organised by Lifebuoy. Students were provided soaps, sanitisers and towels.

DEHRADUN

Dehradun

Badminton tournament : The All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament began at the Multipurpose Sports Facility Hall, Parade Ground, here today. In the U-17 boys’ single category, Umang Kaushik of Uttarakhand defeated Nitish Kushwaha of Delhi 10-15, 15-5, 15-14. In the U-17 girls’ single category, Shifali Gautam from Uttarakhand won over Arshia Sethi of Chandigarh.