Ludhiana, October 7
Son-in-law and daughter of an industrialist, Rajiv Mittal, owner of Aarti Steels, drowned after their boat capsized in Thailand.

The tourists, Yash Agarwal (27) from Hyderabad and Pankhuri Mittal (26) from Ludhiana, rented a longtail boat from Railay to Ao Nang in Southern Thailand’s popular Krabi province known for its pristine beaches on Sunday evening.

They drowned when the boat was lashed by a wave off the coast of Railay beach, east of Phuket. It was learnt that the couple was not wearing life vests at the time of the incident.

Ekkapong Kinglek (25), the boat operator, claimed that life vests were given to the couple, but the two chose not to wear them.

When the boat capsized, the operator jumped off it. Pankhuri, who died on Sunday, had gone to Krabi beach to celebrate her birthday on October 5. As per information, Pankhuri and Yash had solemnised their wedding at Thailand. The incident has sent shock waves across the city.

It is not the first incident. In July of 2012, the trip to Bangkok turned tragic for a city-based couple as the man died and his wife suffered serious injuries after their bus, which was being driven recklessly, overturned. The deceased, 38-year-old Amit Jain, a resident of Sham Singh Road near Mall Road, was among the 10 persons who were killed in the tragic accident while his wife Ashima Jain (34) and 17 others had suffered serious injuries.

It has been over two years, but the scars of the tragic loss are still evident on Ashima’s face.

Ludhiana, October 7
The Health Department today collected samples of mid-day meal from Government Primary and Middle School, Subhash Nagar.

“Rice and khichdi samples were collected from middle and primary schools at Subhash Nagar. Officials also collected samples of paneer and curd from Sharma Sweets, Ganpati Chowk, Focal Point,” said District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar.

Samples of besan burfi and khoya burfi were taken from Heeran village and Bhaini Sahib, respectively. 

At Chandigarh Road, samples of burfi, patisa and kalakand were collected from a sweetmeat shop. Recently, the officials collected milk samples from Kuldeep Singh, who claimed that he was employed with M/S Sidhu Dairy. The samples failed the test, but owner of the dairy Kulwinder Singh claimed that nobody from the Health Department came to his shop.

The officials said they took the samples from Kuldeep at Model Town, but the owner said he did not know Kuldeep and the samples were not taken from his dairy.

Ludhiana, October 7
Online shopping sites are doing a brisk business. Cashing in on the festive season, the sites are offering lucrative bargains. Shoppers are spoilt for choice as e-shopping biggies fight among themselves to offer the best deals on a whole range of products. While Flipkart held its Big Billion Day Sale, Amazon is celebrating Diwali Dhamaka Week between October 10 and 16. Snapdeal’s ongoing Diwali Bumper Sale is on till October 25. Myntra has announced tie-ups with various brands to launch some of their products on its website in the first week of October.

With discount rates expected to touch 60-70 per cent, the festive fortnight will be witnessing a huge rush online in the coming week. “I have been buying products online for a long time now. They offer door delivery and cash on delivery and in case, I do not like the product, I can return it without having to go to a store. This is much simpler as I shop while sitting comfortably in my room,” said Ammie, a resident.

“The offers are most of the times better. Most of the products available online are not otherwise available in the market. I have ordered Diwali hampers for my friends from a site,” added Paramjeet, another city resident.

Marketers are hopeful of influencing consumers purchase behaviour and are leaving no stone unturned. Retailers in the local market too are announcing special offers. Some have even decided to go online. “The trend is catching up with the residents. Every day, I receive queries regarding the online availability of products on my social networking site. I am planning to start an e-store soon,” said owner of bag store. 

Ludhiana, October 7
Henna artists in the city have bumped up prices. Ashish, a mehandi artist at Model Town, said he would charge Rs 100 for one hand. With Karva Chauth nearing, the prices are expected to go through the roof. “Complicated designs will cost Rs 1,000 per hand,” said Ajay, another mehandi artist.

In Sarabha Nagar, the artists are charging Rs 300 for one hand. Many will increase the price to Rs 500 on the eve of the festival. “Posh localities have higher starting prices,” said Ipshita, a resident.

Getting mehandi applied from beauty clinics and salons is even more dearer, with starting prices touching Rs 1,000 per hand. “We make sure that good quality mehandi that holds well and doesn’t harm the skin is used,” said a Dugri-based beauty expert.

“Although the prices of already-made designs are lesser, most of the women prefer getting fresh and new designs made, which takes more time. More intricate designs and motifs cost more,” he said.

“The prices have increased, so has the zest for celebrating the festival in the recent years,” said Ruchi, a Dugri resident. Meenu Batra, a student, said even though not all unmarried girls celebrated the festival, most of them got mehandi applied. 

Ludhiana, October 7
Diwali is here and festivities are incomplete without delicious mithai and savouries that one craves to eat. But think twice before digging into your favourite laddoo or gulab jamun. Spurious ingredients and synthetic colours may bitter their sweetness.

“We have been carrying out checks at sweetmeat shops,” said District Health Officer Dr Abnash Kumar.

He said customers should check the quality of sweets before buying them. “If they come across any suspected or adulterated food item, they should inform the department,” he said.

Check it yourself

Here are some simple tests to detect adulteration in food products.

Ghee: Take 1 spoon of ghee and add an equal amount of hydrochloric acid. Now, add some sugar to it. Shake it for one minute. The presence of vanaspati can be detected if the base of the acid shows dark red colour.

Similarly, to test adulterant in edible oil, add a few drops of nitric acid to the sample and shake it well. The appearance of reddish brown colour shows the presence of argemone oil in it.

Milk: Put a drop of milk on polished vertical surface. The drop of milk either stops or flows slowly leaving a white trail behind it. If it contains water, it will flow down fast without leaving any mark.

Another test to detect synthetics or the presence of starch in milk is by adding a few drops of iodine to it. The presence of blue colour confirms adulteration.

Khoya: Boil the sample with some water. Cool it and add a tincture of iodine to it. If blue colour appears, it means the sample contains starch. Ice-cream: Add a few drops of lemon juice to it. If bubbles start appearing, it means that the sample is adulterated.

Vark: Just rub the silver foil on your hand by your thumb. If it’s aluminium, it will stick to your hand. 

Common adulterants

Milk: It is usually adulterated with water, chalk, urea, soap and other whiteners.

Ghee: It is most commonly adulterated with mashed potatoes and vanaspati.

Khoya: It may have adulterants such as paper, starch, blotting paper, fine flour, refined oil, skimmed milk powder and water.

Besan laddoo: It is adulterated with kesari daal (animal feed unfit for human consumption).

Gulab jamun: Most common adulterants used are contaminated khoya and paneer.

Rasgulla: The common adulterant is chhena made from synthetic milk.

Ice-cream: It may contain washing powder in it.

Vark: It is adulterated with aluminium foil.

Ludhiana, October 7
Two deaths were reported in the city today. A Class XI student, Aman Prem, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house in Sector 32.

Ashok Pandit, a migrant from Bihar, was electrocuted at a dyeing unit today. The deceased came in contact with high-tension wires and died.

Ludhiana, October 7
Victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots have urged the Union government to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India to identify those who perpetrated genocide at various places in the country, and initiate action to punish the guilty in a time-bound framework.

In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, members of the Dangapeerit Welfare Society have sought resettlement grant of at least Rs 10 lakh for each riot-hit family in Punjab and elsewhere in the country. They claimed that nearly 30,000 riot victims or their families have not been able to settle down despite passing of nearly three decades.

Surjit Singh, president of the society, along with other functionaries and district presidents of the body, presented the memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner at the Mini-Secretariat here today.

Listing other demands of riot victims, the memorandum pointed out that despite best efforts of the welfare body, a large number of victims or their dependents had not been able to find gainful employment, residential accommodation or booths for commercial activity as per the provisions made by the Punjab government.

The society demanded that employment be provided to jobless riot victims or their eligible family members under reserved category and residential flats/booths be allotted to them as per the laid-down policy by the government and under guidelines of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. At the same time, bank loans of defaulting riot victims be remitted on one-time basis to enable them start their life afresh, the memorandum stated.

Meanwhile, the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has put up names and addresses of 940 applicants for allotment of residential flats or commercial booths from among the riot victims who hold red cards. It was stated that the list was not final and was being updated after scrutiny of documents submitted by riot victims or their family members.

Interviews are also being conducted for preparation of new red cards and after first round of interviews on September 19, the remaining applicants have been called for interview on October 13, said a GLADA official.

Ludhiana, October 7
Free milk-testing camps are being held in the city under the milk consumer awareness drive. During a camp held at Nehru Nagar today, Dilbagh Singh, Deputy Director, Dairy Development Board, said the department plans to hold 55 camps and till date, 52 camps have already been conducted.

“Nearly 2,000 samples of milk have been tested for purity and 40 per cent of them were found to be diluted with water. The water content ranged between 10 and 45 per cent. No sample was found to be containing any chemical,” he said.

The camps are being held using mobile laboratory vans. The Punjab government has provided eight mobile vans to the Punjab Dairy Development Board.

The board is making efforts to help consumers know the quality of milk they are consuming.

During the tests done in the camps, people come to know about the fat, protein, density and quantity of water in the milk. Milk is tested to check adulteration of urea, salt, sugar and caustic soda as well.

Consumers can also get milk tested from the office of the Deputy Director, Dairy Development Board, 598-L, Model Town. Milk can be get tested till 1 pm on any day, except for holidays. For further information, one can dial 2400223.

Ludhiana, October 7
“Nanotechnology can play a big role in improving efficiency of inputs,” observed Dr MS Sidhu, a former research scholar from the University of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea, while delivering a talk on “Implications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture” at the PAU.

The lecture was organised by the Indian Society of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Agriculture (ISNNA), Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Laboratory (EMNL), PAU.

Dr Sidhu explained the role of nanotechnology in agriculture and related applications such as nano-formulations of agro-chemicals for applying pesticides and fertilizers for crop improvement; application of nano-sensors/nano-biosensors in crop protection for the identification of diseases and residues of agro-chemicals; nano-devices for genetic manipulation of plants etc. — TNS

Ludhiana, October 7
The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking (CICU) will be providing ‘value-added services’ to its members. For the purpose, a special desk is being set up to facilitate CICU members in getting maximum discount/benefits under various services.

CICU general secretary Upkar Singh Ahuja said the industry is facing a tough time and to help the businessmen, the CICU is striking bulk deals.

“We are sure that it will generate huge benefits for CICU member companies,” added CICU president Avtar Singh.

He added that the CICU is also negotiating with airlines and hotels to have best deals for its members.

The CICU has planned to increase its membership base from current 1,100 to 1,500 so that maximum organisations can draw benefit from the initiative.

Benefits for bizmen

* Around 95 per cent discount on fire insurance of plant and machinery

* Up to 70 per cent discount on car/motor vehicle insurance

* Subsidy of up to Rs 10 lakh on energy efficient equipment

* Subsidy of up to ~2.5 lakh on product and international certification

* Huge discounts on making tie-up for solar energy

* Free service for cluster formation

Ludhiana, October 7
Star cast of upcoming Punjabi movie Police in Pollywood - Balle Balle was in the city to promote the movie ahead of its release on October 10.

The movie is the directorial venture of Sunita Dhir, who has also acted in the movie. She said the movie is a situational comedy “in which the police have to make a Punjabi film while they don’t know the ABC of film-making.

With Bhagwant Mann playing DSP and Raj Brar playing the SSP, it is meant to tickle the funny bone of the viewers, she said.

Anuj Sachdeva and Mani Kapoor play the lead in the movie, she said, adding that singer Sardool Sikander will be seen playing a role.

Bhagwant Mann said he played the role of DSP in the film and comedy arises out of him being an unprofessional at film-making.

Mann said he would only be doing one movie a year due to his commitment in the Parliament as he is a member of the Lower House from Sangrur.

Dhir said it was her first Punjabi movie both as director and actor, adding that she has made TV serials and documentaries and has been in the industry for the past 30 years.

The movie is low on budget and has been shot mostly in Punjab and Chandigarh, the director said.

Unlike other comedy movies that have failed to make a mark at the Box Office in the recent times, she said her movie is different as it is a situational comedy. “Comedy films don’t work if the actors get out of character. In our movie, efforts have been made to ensure that none of the actors gets out of the character he or she is playing in the movie,” Dhir said.

Ludhiana, October 7
With facial expressions and agility, Kathak maestro Pandit Rajendra Gangani today captivated the audience during programmes organised under the aegis of the SPIC MACAY at DAV Public School and BCM School.

Gangani is one of the most talented Kathak exponents of the country. Hailing from Jaipur Gharana, he has mastered a delicate balance between the purity of classical Kathak with his innovations. Just like many people try to attain ‘moksha’ through different ways, he tries to reach that stage of divinity through his dance.

Pandit Rajendra Gangani is the winner of numerous awards, including the highest award for contribution to Indian performing arts conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Jagraon, October 7
With lesser shoppers visiting the local markets this festive season, shopkeepers apprehend netting losses.

Shopkeepers claim they have done lesser business so far this year as compared to the past years. The delay in harvesting of paddy due to changed weather, which has further resulted in the delay in arrival and procurement of paddy at grain markets, is considered as the main reason behind the slump in sales of products usually purchased during the festival season.

The late arrival and procurement of paddy at grain markets has delayed the release of payment to farmers as well as labourers. Resultantly, consumers from these sections are missing from the markets. This has come as a major setback to the shopkeepers dealing in sweets, gifts, crackers etc.

Traders say the farmers as well as labourers are missing from the markets this time due to which their business has been adversely affected. “We have done little business this festive season. A huge stock of sweets remained unsold on Dasehra. Sweets don’t have a long shelf life. We are bound to suffer a financial loss,” says Jagmohan, owner of a sweets shop.

Most of the shopkeepers who had invested money in firecrackers, lighting systems, sweets and other eatables say the sale of these commodities have been quite low this time. “I had invested Rs 2 lakh in fire crackers but the sale has not picked up yet due to low turnout of customers. I will be suffering a heavy financial loss if business does not improve in the coming days,” says Parikh Grover, a local shopkeeper.

“Our main customers were farmers. But a large number of farmers are still harvesting their crop in the fields while others are in grain markets waiting for their produce to be procured,” added Grover.

Ludhiana, October 7
Unidentified miscreants disfigured the statue of Ghadri Baba Gurmukh Singh Lalton at Lalton Kalan village of this district. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Punjabi Sahit Akademi have strongly condemned the incident.

CPI district secretary Kartar Singh Bowani, assistant secretaries DP Maur and Dr Arun Mitra said the administration must take immediate steps to identify and apprehend the culprits while also restoring the disfigured statue back to its original state.

While condemning the shameful act of showing disrespect to the revolutionary, Punjabi Sahit Akademi president Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa and secretary Dr Anoop Singh said only those who were devoid of cultural values and nationalism could act in such a manner. They said Baba Gurmukh Singh was not only a freedom fighter but also a torchbearer of cultural heritage.

Other functionaries of academy, including Dr Surjit Singh, senior vice-president, Gurbhajan Gill, former president, Niranjan Tasneem, Prem Singh Baja, Surinder Kailey, Trelochan Lochi, Gurcharan Kaur Kochar, Gulzar Singh Pandher, Sehajpreet Singh Mangat, Surinder Rampuri, Janmeja Singh Johl and Pritam Singh Bharowal also deplored the incident and demanded stern action against the culprits.

Khanna, October 7
A young girl of the city tried to commit suicide when a boy with whom she was engaged refused to marry her. As per the information, 24-year-old girl of Khanna got engaged to a boy of Sirhind about four years ago. During this period both the families were in touch with each other. As per the father of the girl, the boy and his family started avoiding them and then they were asked to wait for marriage.

Finding no way, today the girl and her father went to the house of the boy. His parents refused to marry their son with her by saying that the girl was not smart and did not match their standard. The father of the boy told his son to drop the girl and her father at Khanna. Feeling insulted, the girl tried to commit suicide by cutting her arm. Some passerbys on the spot tried to stop blood by tying a cloth around her arm and later she was admitted to Civil Hospital, Khanna.

When SHO, Khanna, Pawanjit was contacted in this regard, he confirmed the incident and said they were enquiring the matter and would take action as per law. 

Ludhiana, October 7
A month after registering a rape case against godman Rajesh Kakkar, alias Mintu Baba, the Model Town police have failed to nab the accused. It has come to light that the accused, who enjoys considerable political influence, was trying to effect a compromise with the victim’s family.

Star cast of “Police in Pollywood-Balle Balle” promote the movie in Ludhiana on Tuesday. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

The victim’s parents, residents of Manjit Nagar in Abdulahpur Basti, said they had approached Mintu Baba for the treatment of their ailing daughter.

“Our 16-year-old daughter is suffering from thyroid and we did not have money for her treatment. Someone told us about Mintu Baba of Sector 2 in Guru Gyan Vihar. We decided to visit him. For a few days, he kept telling us that our daughter was in the grip of an evil spirit,” said the victim’s relative.

On September 7, the accused took the victim to a secluded place on the pretext of performing a yajna for curing her ailment.

The victim’s sister and brother-in-law also accompanied them. But they alighted from the vehicle. On reaching the deserted place, the accused raped the girl.

Later during the day, the girl reached home and narrated the entire story to her parents, who further reported the matter to the police and rushed her to hospital for treatment.

The next day, medical examination of the girl was conducted and the report confirmed rape.

The accused was then booked under Sections 376, 506 and 511 of the IPC by the Model Town police.

Inderjit Singh, SHO, Model Town police station, said raids were on to nab the accused.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 7
Over 200 students from 19 education colleges of Panjab University engrossed spectators on the first day of the 56th Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival that commenced at the Bhutta College of Education at Bhutta village here today.

Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, inaugurated the function and former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha presided over the session.

The event began with ceremonial lamp lightening ceremony and shabad to invoke the Almighty. The representative flag bearers of the participating colleges pledged fair participation in true team spirit.

Acknowledging contribution of the management committee in promotion of art and culture and preservation of the heritage, Dr Nirmal Jaura, director, Youth Welfare Department of the PU, appreciated that more than 400 students from various colleges of the zone had reported for participation in the function.

Dr JS Dhaliwal, Chancellor, Guru Kashi University, and principal Dr Sonu Grewal inspired the participants to show positive spirit during the mega event.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 7
Intermittent holidays, supplemented with regular schedule of the cleanliness drive at schools of the region have brought cheers to a majority of the government-run schools.

They are happier that the festivity atmosphere at their schools and classrooms will continue for at least for the ensuing week concluding with Sunday.

While parents of the students apprehend that the trend will affects the studies adversely, authorities at certain schools have drafted a set schedule to ensure that classroom teaching was least affected.

Reportedly a majority of students at government schools had been feeling relaxed after the formal launch of cleanliness drive on September 26. It was probably for the first time after the conclusion of their examinations of last academic session that they could feel relaxed from the exhaustive classroom teaching of technical subjects.

Prescribed programme by the Director General School Education to undertake cleaning in various parts of every school on certain dates made the environment informal. On every working day, cleanliness activity was in progress in one or the corner of each school.

Intermittent holidays also changed the mindset of a majority of students both at school and home as well. October 1 and 4 has been the only working days at the schools. Moreover, Tuesday and Friday are the only working days during the rest of the week in the Education Department.

Strength of students on these working days is also expected to be meagre as a large number of parents, dominantly government employees, have already planned tours by availing casual leaves.

Showing concern over apprehended loss of studies of their wards, parents of students led by Harjinder Singh of Kilaraipur and Mandeep Singh of Lohgarh demanded that necessary efforts should be made to compensate loss of studies due to non-teaching works being undertaken by teachers. The authorities should take declining level of formal education at government schools seriously.

Heads of certain schools maintained that teachers had been advised to undertake cleanliness drive in such a way that does not affect the regular studies.

“We have already drafted plan to get the cleanliness work done in such a way that does not interrupt classroom studies. While cleaning of classrooms is entrusted with the class in charges, other wings and rooms of the school have been allotted to students of various houses,” said Balwinder Singh Grewal, principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Dehlon, maintaining that classroom teaching continued as usual on all working days. 

Ludhiana, October 7
The monthly training camp for the members of the PAU Kisan Club will be organised on October 9.

Divulging details, Dr HS Dhaliwal, Director of Extension Education, said the experts would shed light on the role of different extension methodologies to minimise the cost of production, development of happy seeder technology, agricultural technology in India by TATA Chemicals, cultivation of winter vegetable crops and role of biogas plant in farm development.

Dr Dhaliwal further said during the training camp of women’s wing, the farm women would be imparted practical as well as theoretical training in home decoration and preparation of sweet and salty dishes for festivals.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, will organise a training course on ‘Rice cultivation and new agricultural technologies’ for Chhattisgarh farmers on October 13 and 14.

Jagraon, October 7
Teachers of various government-aided private colleges are up in arms against the state government these days due to various long pending demands which have not fulfilled for a long time.

According to the teachers of the private aided colleges, they had been pressing the state government for their just demands for a long time now but to no avail.

The main reason behind discontent of the college teachers is the non-release of the grants to the private aided colleges by the state government. “The government has not released the grants meant for the private aided colleges for more than 15 months. We have not received our salaries for the past several months due to which we are facing tough times economically,” rued Prof Karam Singh Sandhu, a senior lecturer at Lajpat Rai DAV College, Jagraon.

Besides this, the college teachers have been opposing the state government’s purposed move of reducing government grant for the private aided colleges from 95 per cent to 80 per cent.

Even several state-level college strikes observed by the teachers of various colleges under the banner of the Punjab and Chandigarh Private College Teachers’ Union have failed to move the government. Moreover, the college teachers observed the Teachers’ Day as black day by holding strike in the colleges in support of their various long pending demands. But the government seems to have turned a blind eye towards the demands .

According to sources, teachers’ union representatives are also going to meet Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal soon to apprise him about their demands.

Hoping that the government would approve their long pending demands without further delay, the private college teachers said they would be left with no option but to sharpen their struggle further if the government fails to meet their demands. 

Ludhiana, October 7
The Directorate of Students’ Welfare of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) will conduct a zonal-level elocution competition on October 10.

Dr Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal, director, Students’ Welfare, said various committees had been constituted for the smooth conduct of the competition on the university campus.

The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, has entrusted the responsibility of conducting the competition to Punjab Agricultural University, Dr Dhaliwal said.

The director added that: “Around 22 participants from 11 universities
will take part in the
competition.” 

Ludhiana, October 7
A massive shobha yatra was held to pay rich and floral tributes to Lord Valmiki here today, whose birth anniversary falls tomorrow. To mark the occasion, various organisations held functions. A shobha yatra was organised by the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj, led by its chief organiser Vijay Danav.

The yatra comprising several tableaus depicting the childhood of Lord Valmiki started from Daresi grounds in the afternoon. The yatra passed through areas, including Old Sabzi Mandi, Pratap Bazar, Mata Rani Chowk, Clock Tower, Chaura Bazar, Girija Ghar Chowk, Ghas Mandi to Chauri Sarak, Islamia School Road and culminated at Ghati Valmiki. Devotees sang and danced throughout the route and paid tributes to the Lord.

Another shobha yatra was taken out today by the Bhartiya Valmiki Adi Dharam Samaj from Jawaddi Khurd near Pancham Hospital. The yatra, held in the evening, culminated at Ghumar Mandi. The best tableau was awarded with a prize.

Besides, another shobha yatra was held by Rajesh Khokhar at Abdullapur Basti. It started from Manjit Nagar and ended on Gill Road.

Meeting

The meeting of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Undertaking (FICO) was held under the chairmanship of KK Seth and presidentship of Gurmeet Singh Kular regarding the Annual General Meet to celebrate the completion of its one year on October 8, 2014. A seminar titled ‘SME Connect Series 2014’ will also be held to discuss views regarding industries and methods to improve the condition of industries.

Dengue larvae found

Under the direction of Dr Subash Batta, Civil Surgeon, and under the supervision of Dr Anil Verma, District Epidemiologist, a team of 20 breeding checker along with insect collectors and multipurpose health supervisor checked the coolers of different areas for breeding of Aedes Egypti (Larva of dengue). Three coolers in Kitchlu Nagar, 6 coolers and 5 pots in Haibowal Kalan and 4 coolers 1 pot and 2 water tanks in Jawaddi Khurd were found having larvae. The information regarding the same has been passed to the MC officials for issuing fines.

Protest

Residents of Rajiv Gandhi Colony protest against the PSPCL in Ludhiana. A Tribune Photograph

Residents of Rajiv Gandhi Colony on Tuesday protested against the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and demanded their problems to be solved at the earliest. The residents complained that every now and then the wires get damaged and the problem could be solved only by installing a new transformer. Few weeks ago, they had requested the authorities and even a transformer was passed to be set up here but the work was halted in between. They demanded that the transformer should be installed at the earliest. — TNS

Khanna, October 7
Four out of seven persons registered under Section 27(C) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Sections 420/465/468/471 of the IPC have been found guilty of the crime. Meanwhile the other three have been found innocent after the inquiry.

DP Singh, additional SHO, Khanna, said out of four one has been arrested while the three are still at large.

A case against the seven persons was registered on the complaint filed by PD Bansal, president, Lok Sewa Club, Khanna.

While addressing a press conference here yesterday, Bansal said, “In November 2012 illegal, sub-standard, miss-branded and spurious drugs manufactured by a pharmaceutical company from some drug stores of Khanna and Ludhiana were seized by drug inspector Khanna along with Lok Sewa Club, Khanna.”

He further said based on the inspection report submitted by Zonal Licensing Authority (Drugs), Ludhiana, a case has been registered against seven drug dealers at the city police station, Khanna, vide FIR No. 195 Dated: 17 August, 2014, on the orders of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna.”

Ludhiana, October 7
Paddlers from Cambridge International School, Jalandhar, along with Apeejay School, Jalandhar, and Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, reigned supreme bagging top honours on the third day of the ongoing 16th CBSE Cluster Table Tennis Championship being held at BCM Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, Chandigarh road branch, here today.

In the boy’s (U-14) final, Cambridge International School proved too good for Spring Dale School, Amritsar, whom they overwhelmed 3-0 to lift the title. Apeejay School, Jalandhar, got the better of Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Amritsar, 3-0, to finish third.

The final in the boys (U-16) category was played between Apeejay School, Jalandhar, and Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, which the former won comfortably 3-0. DAV Public School, Amritsar, warded off a stiff challenge from Gobindgarh Public School, Fatehgarh Sahib, before wrapping up the game 3-2 and had to contend with the third spot.

In the girls (U-16), Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar, overpowered DAV Public School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar branch, Ludhiana, 3-1 to lay their hands on the winners’ trophy.

In the match to decide the third position, Cambridge International School, Jalandhar, defeated hosts BCM Senior Secondary School, Sector 32, Chandigarh road branch, 3-0.

Ludhiana, October 7
The annual Ludhiana District Roller Skating Tournament will be held on October 18 and 19 at the Leisure Valley Skating Rink, opposite Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar. 

Ludhiana, October 7
The Ludhiana District Table Tennis Tournament will be held at the Shastri Hall near Guru Nanak Stadium here on October 11 and 12.

Fang Jenn Chiu, honorary secretary, Ludhiana District Table Tennis Association (LDTTA), informed that the competition would see matches under boys (U-10) category for those born on or after January 1, 2005; cadet boys and girls (U-12) for those born on or after January 1, 2003; sub-junior boys and girls (U-15) for those born on or after January 1, 2000; junior boys and girls (U-18) for those born on or after January 1, 1997; boys and girls (U-21) for those born on or after January 1, 1994; and men and women (singles).

Entries would be accepted by the secretary, LDTTA, till 5 pm on October 9.