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103 slum dwellers to get houses
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
Around 103 families of Labour Colony will get houses at Giaspura as many nationalised banks have come forward to provide a loan of Rs 25,000 each to the beneficiaries. Once the formalities are over, the 103 families, identified by the Municipal Corporation in a survey, will get houses in Giaspura. The civic body will take the colony land in its possession and plant saplings on it.

Starting with Labour Colony, the civic body today organised a camp at Leisure Valley as part of a pilot project. Many beneficiaries and bank officials took part in it.

Ghanshyam Thori, Additional Commissioner, who is looking after the project, said a sum of Rs 5,000 would be paid by each slum dweller while a loan of Rs 25,000 each would be provided to them by banks.

As per state government’s proposal, around 2,496 houses will be constructed at Giaspura, 1,200 at Mundian Kalan and 1,136 at Dhandari Kalan. Of them, 2,170 in Giaspura, 736 in Mundian Kalan and 720 in Dhandari have been constructed. Under a survey, around 103 families in Labour Colony, 478 in Jamuna Colony and 518 in Bhagat Singh Nagar have been identified as beneficiaries.

Thori said there were around 214 slums in Ludhiana and the state government wanted to rehabilitate the slum dwellers. At the same time, the official said once the formalities were over and beneficiaries were handed the flats at Giaspura, they would have to vacate their respective shanties in Labour Colony. The dwellings in the colony will be demolished and the chunk of land developed as a green belt.

The area is already part of a green belt.

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Learner’s licence
Transport office to start online submission of forms
Anupam Bhagria
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
To free applicants from the tentacles of agents, the District Transport Office is now planning to make available forms for driver’s licence online.

Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, said: “We hope to start the process in the next few days. Once it is started, the applicants will not have to rely on agents for filling in and submitting their forms for driver’s licence.”

The DTO said: “The form will be uploaded on website www.punjabtrasnport.com. Any applicant can download it from there and submit it online. He or she has to personally visit the office of learner’s licence at Children’s Park, Model Town, with a hard copy of the submitted form (a passport size photograph of the applicant pasted on it).

“The applicant will have to show the hardcopy of that form for taking an online test called tab test. After passing the test, he or she will be photographed on a machine. Then the applicant will be issued a learner’s licence after six days.”

At present, applicants have to visit twice the learner’s licence office at Children’s Park. First, for submitting the form and then for the tab test.

The DTO said: “Most applicants avoid visiting the office for submitting their forms due to busy schedule and fall an easy prey to agents.” He said with the online submission of forms, mistakes would be minimised.

Garg said: “Mistakes will automatically get checked by the applicant while submitting forms online. In the forms filled in by agents, there remain mistakes in spellings and sometimes in addresses too.”

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50 booked for abducting girl
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
The Meharban police booked 50 residents, including Parmajit Singh his son and wife, of Machian Kalan village for allegedly kidnapping a girl whose brother had reportedly eloped with Paramjit Singh’s daughter yesterday. However, no arrest was made till the filing of the report.

Meharban Station House Officer Rajesh Thakur said: “We have booked the persons under various sections of the IPC for kidnapping the girl and thrashing Roshan Singh’s family.”

Paramjit Singh of Machian Kalan village, his son and their aides kidnapped the sister of Gurpreet Singh, who had allegedly eloped with Paramjit’s daughter.

According to the Station House Officer, the kidnapped girl was rescued last evening and handed to her parents.

“Gurpreet Singh and the daughter of Paramjit Singh are both adult and got married legally. As per the law, no one can object to their relation,” he added.

An eye for an eye

A family, whose daughter allegedly eloped with a boy, kidnapped his sister and thrashed his parents in an-eye-for-an-eye justice at Machian village

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Man found dead

Ludhiana, September 27
A 55-year-old man was found dead near the Domouria bridge this evening. A passerby noticed the body.

“The reason for his death is yet not clear but the preliminary investigation suggested that the man had some injuries,” said a police official. “We have sent the body to the Civil Hospital for autopsy. It would be kept there for identification,” he added. — TNS

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parking blues
42 hospitals, clinics put on notice
Tribune News Service

Vehicles parked outside the hospital in Ludhiana
Vehicles parked outside the hospital in Ludhiana. A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana, September 27
Fortytwo leading hospitals that fall in Zone D have been issued notices for not providing parking space as per the prescribed norms. They have been warned of proceedings under contempt of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The notices were issued last evening.

Assistant Town Planner (Zone D) SS Bindra said 42 hospitals in Zone D had been served three-month notices as per the directions of the High Court. “The hospitals and clinics will have to provide space for parking on their premises. A complaint was filed by an RTI activist, following which the High Court issued the recent directions. The owners of the hospitals will have to adhere to the directions or else they will face proceedings under contempt of court,” said Bindra.

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Fleeing thieves set shop on fire
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, September 27
Thieves broke into a shop at Sawadi Kalan village last night and decamped with goods worth Rs 20,000. They set the shop on fire after stealing the goods.

The theft took place at Paramvir Telecom. According to shop owner Paramvir Singh, he went to his house after closing his shop at around 8 pm last night. The incident came to light this morning when the shop owner arrived at the shop and found it gutted.

In his complaint to the police, Paramvir Singh alleged that the thieves entered his shop by prying open the shutter of his shop last night. They stole eight mobile phones, recharge coupons and Rs 2,000.

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For the Kheras, the show must go on
Third generation of the family keeps the tradition of staging Ramlila alive
Manav Mander
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
Acting runs in their blood. Members of the Khera family have been essaying different roles in Ramlila for the past more than 40 years. It is their third generation, which is keeping the tradition alive.

It was Dhayan Chand, father of Raj Kumar Khera, who started a drama club named the Society Drama Club, which later became the Durga Dramatic Club. It is still being run by his son and grandsons.

Raj Kumar, who has essayed the role of the demon king to perfection, now plays King Dashratha. His younger son Vijay Kumar plays Ravana while his elder son Vikram palys the character of Ram.

“The show must go on,” says Raj Kumar. “Today, many committees have stopped staging Ramlilas and instead are showing the epic on television. At the same time, certain committees hire services of artistes from Brindaban. We should not deviate from our tradition and should make constant efforts to keep them alive. Many committees bring artistes from the neighbouring states as they are unable to find local artistes,” he added.

Vijay belongs to the third generation of the Khera family. In the morning, he goes to his workplace. After work, he rushes to the Ramlila ground. “The role of Ravana is very powerful and so is his makeup. It takes a lot of time to give a perfect look to the actor playing Ravana,” he said.

Even the fourth generation of the Kheras is in love with the epic characters. Vijay’s son plays Hanuman while running around the house and keeps murmuring his dialogues.

Recalling the old days, Raj Kumar said there was a time when women of the family did not like me taking part in Ramlila. But today, things have changed. My family is comfortable with my son taking part in Ramlila.

The entire Khera family is very busy these days. Their day starts early and ends late. Costumes, makeup and dialogues remain the topics of their discussion.

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Radiologists shun referral system
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
Around 30 city-based radiologists have decided not to provide “cuts” to medical professionals who refer patients to their diagnostic centres.

During a recent meeting on the issue, some radiologists motivated the gathering to shun the practice of giving commission to doctors who refer patients to them.

A radiologist said: “We used to get many patients through references. Now, that we have decided not to encourage this practice, we will definitely lose some patients and bear the losses. We, however, are ready to face such an outcome.”

The absence of referral system, however, might hit the patients. The patients would have to bear the losses in the form of a higher fee, said one of the radiologists.

Diagnostic centres in Ludhiana reportedly pay anywhere between Rs one lakh to Rs 15 lakhs to doctors on a monthly basis.

Welcoming the decision, Satwant Singh, a resident, “At least doctors will not prescribe unnecessary tests to patients.”

‘Those caught will not be spared’

Dr GS Grewal, president, Punjab Medical Council, appreciated the initiative taken by the radiologists. Giving a strict warning to those still indulging in the “unethical practice”, Dr Grewal said: “If they are caught giving cuts to doctors, they will not be spared.” He said doctors who stick to ethical practices were next to God, but the unethical ones were “devils”.

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Kidney disease in focus at CME
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
A continuing medical education (CME) seminar on nephrology was held at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here today. Eminent nephrologists, nephropathologists and surgeons from across the country delivered lectures during the CME.

In his address, head of department Dr JS Sandhu said the chronic kidney disease had become a major public health problem and was a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India and other developing nations.

“The purpose of organising this CME is to update the participating delegates about advancements in the treatment and management of the disease,” he said.

The CME began with a lecture on advances in nephrology by Dr Vinay Sakhuja from Chandigarh, followed by a lecture on definition and burden of chronic kidney disease by Dr KL Gupta and management of hyperphosphatemia by Dr RK Sharma. Dr PP Varma from New Delhi spoke on the new therapeutic strategies of anaemia in chronic kidney disease.

Dr HS Kohli, in his lecture, highlighted diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, is a complication of type 1 or type 2 diabetes caused by damage to the kidneys’ delicate filtering system.

“If you have diabetic nephropathy, it’s very important for you to have your kidney function tested and monitored to prevent it from worsening and reduce your risk of heart disease,” said the doctor.

Other topics covered during the CME were haemodialysis in the elderly, paediatrics aspects of chronic kidney disease, peritoneal dialysis’, Banff classification update and kidney transplantation in sensitised recipient.

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Ludhianvis get spoilt for choice at exhibition
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
City residents turned up good numbers at the fashion and lifestyle exhibition “Carnival of Lights” that began at Park Plaza today. The two-day event will witness a wide array of products of labels from across the country on display.

The fashion and lifestyle products include fashion outfits, garments, Indian and Western wear, wedding collections, fashion accessories, footwear, jewellery, furnishing and decor items.
Home décor items on display at the “Carnival of Lights” exhibition in Ludhiana on Saturday
Home décor items on display at the “Carnival of Lights” exhibition in Ludhiana on Saturday. Tribune Photos: Himanshu Mahajan

Designer label Nikasha that claims to have its fusion wear adorned by celebrities such as Liz Hurley, Anna Kournikova, Bipasha Basu, Asin Thottumkal and Frieda Pinto also put on display its collection.

Jewellery of various labels had a mix of contemporary and ethnic designs. The Khamsa jewellery label from Dubai presented a different take on Turkish designs. More than 60 such labels are showcasing their latest works.

Special children from Nirdosh School for Mentally Challenged Children, too, displayed handmade products such as candles.

“If you don’t get to visit an exhibition in a month, you feel something is missing,” said Vandana, a resident.

It’s free-for-all outside venue

Visitors to the fashion and lifestyle exhibition at Park Plaza parked their vehicles haphazardly on the service lane along Ferozepur Road. Trucks carrying the stock of exhibitors added to the chaos.



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District-level training Camp
1,500 farmers to turn up
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, September 27
A district-level farmers’ training camp will be organised at Mullanpur Dakha on Monday. Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali will inaugurate the camp at the grounds opposite Government Senior Secondary School, Dakha.

Over 1,500 farmers from all blocks of Ludhiana are expected to attend the camp being organised by the Department of Agriculture.

Chief Agricultural Officer, Ludhiana, Dr Sukhpal Singh Sekhon said: “This camp is being organised to educate farmers about packages and practices of wheat, rabi pulses and oilseed crops.”

Experts from the state department and Punjab Agricultural University will provide technical know-how about conservation of natural resources and environment during the camp.

An exhibition on different extension activities of the department, agricultural machinery, role of self-help groups in food processing and activities related to crop diversification programme will be held.

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City has little to offer to tourists, say residents
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
As the World Tourism Day is celebrated across the globe today, city residents feel the city pales in front of other tourist destinations.

Affluent residents keep travelling across the world for both leisure and work. Japneet, a businessman, says he travels to various places to know about the latest trends in garments industry.

“So travelling is a necessity as much as it is inherently exciting for many people,” he says.

After visiting many places within and outside the country, many such residents find that the city is lacking good tourist attractions.

Sarabjit, who returned from Australia recently, says: “I am a proud Punjabi, but it is embarrassing when people I visit in other countries plan to come to Ludhiana. Despite our rich culture and tradition, we do not have much to offer when it comes to tourism.”

Although malls, shops and restaurants are springing up in the city, the government has done little to develop anything in the name of culture with the aim to promote tourism, says Anshul, another resident.

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Local docs to provide relief in J&K
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
City-based Good Samaritans have come forward to the aid of the flood-hit in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development, Indian Medical Association (Ludhiana), Rotary Club Ludhiana Greater, Ludhiana District Chemists Association, Whole Sale Chemists Association, All India Bank Officers Association and All India Youth Federation have joined hands for the noble cause.

While a truckload of medicines, blankets, clothes and other relief material left for Srinagar on September 25, a team of doctors from Ludhiana comprising Dr Arun Mitra and AK Handa along with paramedical staff Ramadhar Singh, Anod Kumar and Sanjeet Kumar will carry out relief work.

The team will be joined by six doctors from Jammu and three others from Patna and Hyderabad. There being a grave danger of the spread of water-borne diseases, the team will give medical aid to residents of Srinagar and surrounding areas.

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23 teams take part in quiz
Tribune News Service

A team participates in a quiz at the University Business School in Ludhiana on Saturday
A team participates in a quiz at the University Business School in Ludhiana on Saturday. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Ludhiana, September 27
Twenty-three teams from various states across the northern region took part in a quiz, “Gyan Manthan”, at the University Business School.

While inaugurating the contest, chief guest Anil Kumar, an industrialist, highlighted the importance of such activities in improving the overall personality of students.

He motivated the participants to give their best and congratulated the institute students on conducting the event.

Another industrialist, Lakhwinder Singh, was the guest of honour.


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City school shines in national rankings
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 27
BCM Arya School has been ranked 31 among top 100 schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) across the country in an annual school ratings conducted by the human resource development magazine Education World.

The ratings are based on the Class XII CBSE results this year. On the basis of the survey, the school is ranked first among the CBSE schools of Punjab.

“The rating is a great morale booster for teachers as well as the students. It will help them improve their performance and work towards a better ranking next year,” said school principal Dr Paramjit Kaur.

A school organised a small celebratory party for the teachers to recognise their hard work.

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from colleges
Poster-making contest

Ludhiana: The Ludhiana College of Engineering and Technology, Katani Kalan, organised a technical paper presentation and poster-making contest themed “role of engineers in saving environment”. Gulshan Rai, Chief Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board, was the chief guest. The main objective of the event was to make students aware of the need to take initiatives to achieve environmental sustainability. College director Dr JS Sohal, principal Dr Pawan Kumar and chairman VK Gupta were present at the venue to motivate students.

BCom students visit stock exchange

The training and placement cell and the Indian Society for Technical Education students’ chapter at the Guru Nanak institute of Management and Technology, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, organised an industrial visit for the BCom first semester students to the Ludhiana Stock Exchange. Pooja Kohli, executive director of the exchange, told the students about the capital market. The students had an interactive session during which they put up queries and got their doubts cleared. — TNS

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ludhiana scan
Cycle rally

The United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) Cycling Club is organising a cycling rally on October 2. The rally will being from the association office at 5.30 am. The participants will ride up to Alamgir Gurdwara, and after paying obeisance will ride back to the UCPMA office. The association will provide breakfast to all participants.

Special day

Radisson Blu celebrated Blu Day along with other hotels of the chain in the Asia-Pacific region. The hotel involved the guests in various activities. Special drinks and food items were served.

Festive season

Keeping in view the upcoming festivities and wedding season, members of the Cloth Merchants Association have decided to keep their showrooms open on all Sundays. The move will stay in force till the end of this financial year, i.e. March 31, 2015. — TNS

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Feedback

Ludhiana Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Ludhiana and the nearby areas on its email ludhiana.feedback@gmail.com 

They can also send their views to: Feedback, Ludhiana Tribune, Sec 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters must mention 'Feedback for Ludhiana Tribune' on the envelope, should be signed and must contain the sender’s address and phone No. It should not be more than 150 words.

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Illicit liquor seized
1 held, another absconding; 2 vehicles impounded
Tribune Reporters

Dehlon, September 27
The police today seized 290 boxes of illegal liquor from two vehicles. While the driver of one of the vehicles was held, the other managed to flee. Both have been booked under Section 61 of the Excise Act. The police also confiscated the vehicles: a tempo (PB-13-R-4537) and an Indigo car (PB-10-CE-7306).

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gurpreet Singh Sikand, said a police team led by SHO Amandeep Singh Brar seized the illicit liquor being smuggled from Sangrur into the district, following a tip-off. While the tempo was carrying 270 boxes containing twelve bottles each, the car was carrying 20 boxes.

The tempo driver, identified as Sukhveer Gir of Uppali village, was arrested after a brief chase on the town’s periphery. The car driver, Jagdeep Singh, however, managed to give the police the slip.

The police were yet to ascertain the modus operandi of the accused and the origin of the consignments.

Truck driver held with poppy husk

Jagraon: The local police have arrested an alleged drug peddler and seized 55 kilograms of poppy husk from him.

The accused drug peddler has been identified as Kulwant Singh, a resident of Sidhwan Kalan village near Jagraon. He is a truck driver.

The contraband was seized during a raid conducted by a police team from Jagraon Sadar police station at Sidhwan Kalan village located on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur road, following a tip off the previous night.

The police also confiscated a truck (PB-05-8998) in which the drug was being allegedly smuggled into the area.

Station House Officer Lovedeep Singh Gill, “A police team lead by ASI Jugraj Singh carried out a raid at Kulwant Singh’s house and recovered two bags of poppy husk from a truck parked outside his house. The drug was hidden in the truck laden with tea bags.”

The police have registered a case against the accused under the NDPS Act and are probing the matter. The SHO said during the preliminary questioning, the accused confessed to being involved in the illegal trade for the past many months.

The accused was produced before a local court, which awarded him one-day police remand.

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