Amritsar, October 17
Though the ticket-booking counter at Amritsar railway station is witnessing a rush of passengers ahead of Diwali, the movement of passengers is expected to pick up in a couple of days.

A sea of devotees descend on the city of the Golden Temple to celebrate Diwali. A beautifully illuminated Golden Temple is a delight to watch and devotees express their devotion by paying obeisance.

A majority of these devotees arrive by trains while a sizeable number of them come in their private vehicles and others by air.

Railway officials said festival bookings were going on and many of these passengers were coming from Jammu to catch connecting trains to reach their destinations. They added that the hustle and bustle would pick up by Monday.

The officials said a considerable number of pilgrims and tourists would arrive to see Diwali here. At the same time, a high number of migrants working here in industries, shops, agriculture fields, the construction and other sectors would leave for their homes in UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states.

Kishan, a passenger at the railway station, said his group comprised eight persons and all of them belonged to various villages of Motihari district. He said they were working as construction labourers here and were travelling to their home district by the Katihar express. They got the tickets booked in advance to avoid unnecessary hassles they had undergone last year. He added that they wished to reach their homes ahead of Diwali to celebrate the festival in full.

People in large numbers are queuing up at the railway station for heading towards their homes to celebrate the festival of lights.

Railway officials stated that the trains bound for UP and Bihar were particularly crowded as there was a lot of migrant population engaged in different activities in the city.

Besides, a large number of pilgrims also visit Amritsar to witness Diwali celebrations at the Golden Temple. Their arrival picks up pace a couple of days before the festival.

Amritsar, October 17
While the cash-strapped Municipal Corporation failed to pay salaries to its staff for this month, the agitating employees shun work today for a few hours to lodge their protest. Getting no response from the authorities, they have declared to totally halt public utility works from Monday onwards.

The MC is facing a financial crunch primarily due to the fact that the VAT returns, which the Local Body Ministry owes to the MC, have not been released for the past three months in succession.

Going by the precedence, the Local Bodies Ministry pays an amount of Rs 11 crore per month to the MC in lieu of the revenue it generates through VAT and deposits it in the state exchequer. Yet, this month the MC has received just Rs 5 crore, whereas the rest of the amount is yet to be released.

Similarly, in July and August, the MC had received Rs 7 crore each, while the rest of the amount lay pending. This implied that the MC was paid Rs 14 crore short than the due amount.

On the other hand, the revenue-generation sources like the house tax, the property tax, the advertisement tax and other contractual outsourcing of public utility services are also lagging behind.

Besides, there is a long list of non-payment of water and sewerage bills.

Consequently, due to poor fiscal health, the MC was not in a position to pay the salaries of its employees on time.

The employees resented that they had been denied their salaries in the festive season.

However, various employees’ bodies launched protest under the banner of Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee and raised slogans against the MC and the ruling government.

Nagar Nigam Karamchari Talmel president Harjinder Singh Walia said they were compelled to agitate as no assurance was given by government officials from either side.

Safai Mazdoor Union president Vinod Bitta said, “We have already served an ultimatum of 72 hours to the MC authorities to release our salaries; otherwise the workers were ready to observe an indefinite strike from Monday,” he said.

Others present at the protest rally included Amritsar Nagar Nigam Workers Union president Major Singh, Nagar Nigam Jal Sadhan Technical Union president Baljit Singh Bajwa and hundreds of MC employees from all departments.

On the other hand, MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal assured the MC employees that the salaries would be disbursed before Diwali.

Amritsar, October 17
As the festival of festivals approaches, the rush for the choicest Diwali gifts has got the markets packed and sellers are busy. Diwali gifts, representing not just the joy and celebration of the festival, are a reflection of an individual’s social stature. The fact that people opt for the best trends has prompted some of the artists in the city to make the most of their creativity.

Bharti Malhotra has made art work from fibre and mirrors as special Diwali Gifts; and (right) Designer dry cakes and cookies have replaced sweets as Diwali savouries. Tribune photographs

Moving beyond the sweets and dry fruit routine, Diwali gifts have got innovative with art and creativity written in bold letters. City-based artists, who otherwise have limited visibility in art galleries, are making the most of it. Elegant candles, hand-made wraps and envelopes, oil paintings and creative Diwali staples like ‘diyas’ and lamps made from fibre and silver are classy and chic gifting options.

Artist Nidhi Gulati, who has put up a Diwali exhibition of her art work, is working on a collection of hand- made specifics like candles, ‘diyas’, gift wraps and envelopes. She has also sold elaborate paintings as special Diwali gifts and says the trend is good news for artists. “More and more people are opting for customised and hand-made gifts as Diwali gifts are considered special. The amount of love, detailing and thoughtfulness gone into making a hand-made creative art piece represents everything a Diwali gift needs to,” says the artist. The art pieces, though, are made available at affordable prices “so that everyone could buy them. Also, as an artist, one might not consider Diwali sales as an achievement, but it does provide a creative option in the market.”

Depending on the kind, one might spend anything between Rs 1,000-15,000 per gift. Silver art ware, too, is a popular pick for Diwali. Embellished with pearls and semi-precious stones, it makes a classy, elegant and hi-end gifting option. “Silver is also considered auspicious on Diwali and so it becomes a perfect gifting option,” says Sujata, one of the artists in the city. The price falls between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000 per piece. Since silver is a Diwali favourite, there are some expensive and exclusive options like silver ‘diyas’, lamps, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi idols and religious portraits.

Hoshiarpur-based artist Jaspal Singh specifically paints customised Diwali greetings for his artist friends in Amritsar. “Very few people value art this way. There are some who buy art works like paintings or some handicraft for gifting but the trend cannot compete with the other lavish gifts. One has to have the taste for it,” he says. Agrees Bharti Malhotra, another city-based artist, whose private gallery turns into a creative gift shop during Diwali. “Most popular gift options remain traditional ‘diyas’ and lamps, but we try to innovate with the material being used for them to make them exclusive.” Like the fibre-based soft toys she has made, with candies and chocolates filled inside. “It will definitely make the children happy,” she says.

Well, sweets might have earned some bad reputation, thanks to the adulteration concerns, but designer cakes and candies fill in the gap tastefully. Creativity baked to perfection, these small, round delicacies with dollops of innovative icing, festive designs and a topping of colourful sugar “sprinkles” are indeed selling like hot cakes this season, especially with corporate-style gift hampers.

From customised cupcakes to chocolate-shaped ‘diyas’ and candles, exotic variants are in demand. “Dry cakes are best sellers and some innovations like fondant cakes and cookies, too, get due attention with the gifting crowd,” shares Arundeep Singh, city-based baker and owner of Cakelicious. 

Amritsar, October 17
Jagir Kaur, a resident of Ballarwal village, died and two persons were injured when two motorcycles collided head-on near Chak Dogra village in Ajnala, near here, today.

The deceased was riding pillion to her nephew, Surjit Singh of Ballarwal village. On the statement of Surjit Singh, the Ajnala police have registered a case under Section 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC against the other motorcyclist, identified as Jaswinder Singh of Chak Dogra village.

Gurbhinder Singh, SHO, Ajnala police station, said that Surjit Singh along with Jagir Kaur was going to their native village from Ajnala when Jaswinder Singh, riding a motorcycle, hit them near Chak Dogra village. Jagir Kaur died on the spot while Surjit and Jaswinder also sustained serious injuries.

Amritsar, October 17
Around a week ahead of Diwali, the Fire Department of the holy city has been put on alert. The Municipal Corporation has chalked out a 12-hour roster for the firemen, applicable from October 20. All the leave applications have been put on hold till Diwali.

MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal today held a special meeting with the fire squad led by Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (ADFO) KL Kakkar.

A special fire-preventive programme has been chalked out and the firemen have been cautioned to refrain from liquor or any intoxicant during the duty hours.

Four fire stations are situated at Town Hall, Beri Gate, Gilwali Gate and Civil Lines. According to information, MC’s 10 tubewell operators, two auto workshop mechanics and two electricians will be at the disposal of the fire department all the time. The water reservoirs are being re-checked.

At New Amritsar cracker market, the fire tenders will be placed for 24 hours from October 20.

A communication has been sent to the police to ensure that there should not be any encroachment on the roadsides for the free movement of the fire tenders, in case of any untoward incident.

It has been ensured that the fire tenders should leave the stations within one minute of receiving the call about any emergency. Sabharwal has also instructed the fire officials to install caller IDs on the emergency numbers as there were frequent complaints about a number of fake calls.

Besides seven fire fighting tenders and two jeeps there will be two motorbikes equipped with sophisticated fire fighting gadgets. These bikes will be of immense help to reach the narrow lane spots. Every year, it was a common sight that due to old topography of the holy city and the congested areas, the fire tenders were unable to reach the spot. These bikes have been geared up especially for the fire cracker merchants who install or stock material ahead of Diwali in their shops located in narrow lanes.

“We are prepared to meet any untoward incident. We have chalked out special duty plan at strategic locations. What we now need is the public cooperation,” said Pardeep Sabharwal, Municipal Commissioner.

Amritsar, October 17
Prof AS Brar, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) constituted anti-ragging committee at the University-level to curb the ragging.

Dr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Registrar, said, “ The committee includes Vice-Chancellor as Chairman, Dean, Student’s Welfare, as Convener and Dean, Academic Affairs, as member.

In the committee, the nominee of the Deputy Commissioner is the Naib Tehsildar, Amritsar-I, the nominee of the SSP is Naresh Kumar Sharma, PPS Additional Deputy Commissioner, Police (crime), the representatives of NGOs are Dr Inderjit Kaur, chairman, Bhagat Puran Singh, All India Pingalwara Society, Amritsar, representative of non-teaching staff Jagir Singh, Senior Assistant College Branch, representative of faculty, Prof Jagroop Singh, Head, Political Science Department, students’ body representative first year student (male and female each), two parents of senior students and two parents of freshers. — TNS

Amritsar, October 17
Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) will set up a new cremation ground equipped with modern amenities at the posh Ranjit Avenue, said engineer-in-chief Manmohan Singh today, who was in the city to review development works.

During his day-long stay in the holy city he reviewed various undergoing projects taken by the the AIT.

“The site has been zeroed in on the Ranjit Avenue. It will be set up on two acres of land, and an amount of Rs 1 crore is required to raise the infrastructure. A digital survey of the land is currently being carried out and a report will be completed by the first week of November.” said Manmohan while talking to Amritsar Tribune.

“The ground will have ample sitting arrangement, a flower room, toilets for taking bath, a meditation room and other amenities,” added Manmohan.

Manmohan also visited the site earmarked for raising the community centre in E-block of the Ranjit Avenue area.

“The centre will come up on 1,000 square yards of land at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 crore. Sufficient provision for raising further storeyes over the building will also be made available,” said Manmohan.

Meanwhile, in block A of the same area he reviewed the setting up of a car parking lot, widening of road and laying of inter-locking tiles on footpaths.

He also reviewed various development works finished by the AIT, and also those which were under progress in various schemes.

In ward number 11, he reviewed the quality of Cement Concrete (CC) flooring done in 22 streets last year. besides taking a look at the beautification of park there.

Subsequently, in ward number 14 the engineer-in chief took stock of the CC flooring, in ward number 7 beautification of park and laying of interlocking tiles on the pavements. Majority of these localities falls on Majitha Road.

He took stock of the construction of EWS dwellings in New Amritsar and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Maal Mandi schemes. In both schemes 440 flats are being raised under the Union government’s Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme.

“As per the instructions of the Local Bodies Minister, Anil Joshi, I will visit the holy city once in a month to review the progress of various developmental works,” said Manmohan Singh.

Amritsar, October 17
Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Gulmohar Avenue on the Majitha road, is running from pillar to post to trace his two sons, Rahul (13) and Rohit (15), who went missing under mysterious circumstances after they left for school.

The incident took place around a week ago. Though Kumar filed a complaint with Sadar police in this regard, nothing has been done by them so far.

Kumar, a junk dealer whose family hails from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been in constant touch with his parents and in-laws there. The children have not reached there also. He said around three months ago, his wife was crushed to death under a truck on the Hussainpura railway overbridge. They were travelling in an auto-rickshaw. He said since her death, he was taking care of his two sons.

He said on Monday, he left for work at around 8.30 am and a few minutes later, his two sons left for their schools. Both studied in two different government schools at Ganda Singh Wala and in the Naushehra area, at a distance of a couple of kilometres from their house. He said they gave the keys of the house to a neighbour and went to their schools, but they did not reach there.

He said when they failed to reach home till late in the evening, he got worried and started looking for them at various religious places, the railway station and the bus stand, but in vain.

“I don’t know what to do or where to find my children,” he said, adding that he did not get any response from Sadar police authorities. He urged the police authorities to help him in finding his sons.

Amritsar, October 17
Khilchian police have booked five members of a family and a nurse working in a private hospital, for allegedly carrying out an abortion of a woman without her consent.

Manjit Kaur, a resident of Jaspal village, said the incident took place on April 28, but she had submitted a complaint to police yesterday evening. She was perturbed over the continued harassment at the hands of her in-laws for bringing insufficient dowry.

Among those booked included Jagir Kaur, Kuldeep Singh and Kulwinder Kaur of Jaspal village, Gurpreet Kaur and Gurwinder Singh of Mouse village and Jaswinder Kaur, a private nurse of Jalal Usma village.

The victim stated to police that she was married to Hardeep Singh on January 3. She alleged that within few days after marriage, her in-laws started harassing her for brining insufficient dowry. After a couple of months, she became pregnant. She alleged that on April 26 they took her to a private general hospital at Khilchian, where she was told that she was pregnant for two months and on April 28 they took her to Jaswinder Kaur, a private nurse, and got her child aborted.

The police said a case under Sections 313, 498-A, 323, 148, 149 and 120-B of the Indian penal Code (IPC) had been registered while no arrest had been made so far. The police said that the case was under investigation.

Amritsar, October 17
A four-day Zonal Youth Festival of A- Zone comprising colleges from Amritsar district affiliated with the Guru Nanak Dev University was inaugurated in the Dashmesh Auditorium here today.

As many as 500 students-artistes are taking part in 27 items of music, theatre, dance, literary and fine arts.

Ishwar Chander Sharma, IG Police Border Zone, Amritsar, inaugurated the festival by lighting the candles. Jasdeep Singh, SSP (Rural), Amritsar, and Mukesh Sharma, XEN, were the guests of honour.

Dr Jagjit Kaur, Director, Youth Welfare, welcomed the chief guest and others.

The festival started with bhangra followed by group song, shabad,bhajan, vaar singing, kavishri and fine arts. On October 18, the competitions of folk instruments, one act play, folk song, gazal, elocution, poetical symposium and debate, will be organised.

On October 19, the competitions of mime, mimicry, costume exhibition, skit, group dance, classical inst (percussion), classical inst (non-percussion), classical vocal, rangoli and phulkari will be organised. On October 20, the competitions of western vocal, group song (western), quiz and giddha will be organisee followed by a prize distribution function.

Amritsar, October 17
Even though the National Commission for Scheduled Caste has given a week’s time to the MCI, Punjab government and the Vice- Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences to prepare a concrete proposal to shift the agitating students of Chintpurni Medical College to other medical institutions, or take over the college, the students decided to continue their peaceful agitation till the acceptance of their demands.

Two students today sat on a chain hunger strike. Students also took out a candle march in the evening upto the residence of Punjab Medical Education Minster Anil Joshi.

“We will continue the strike and hold a meeting to chalk out further course of action after a week,” said one of the students.

The students had been agitating since September 27, following the de-recognition of the college and are demanding to shift them to other recognised Medical colleges.