Jagraon, November 1
A BSc (non-medical) student of the Sanmati Government College of Science Education and Research allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in her room this morning. The deceased was identified as Manmeet Kaur, a resident of Kot-Isse-Khan town in Moga district. She had been staying in the college hostel for the past three years.

The incident came to light at 10 am when Manmeet’s roommates returned to the room after attending their classes. The college authorities informed the local police about the incident. The body was sent for postmortem.

The police said the reason behind the extreme step could not be ascertained.

“Manmeet was a bright student, but she was under stress,” said a student.

Ludhiana, November 1
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is posing a threat to TB eradication. As per figures, the number of TB patients has increased by 30 per cent in a year.

Dr Ashish Chawla, district TB officer, said the Civil Hospital received 500-550 patients in a month, out of which, the majority were migrants. “Fifteen per cent of the patients are from urban areas while the remaining belong to rural areas,” Chawla said.

“The exact number of TB patients in Ludhiana cannot be ascertained as many private hospitals and diagnostic centres do not submit monthly reports. In 2012, the government issued a notification asking all private hospitals and diagnostic centres to submit a monthly report, but barring a few corporate hospitals, nobody submitted the report,” said Dr Chawla.

Dr Chawla said the treatment was free at government hospitals, but patients preferred going to private hospitals. “Most of them leave the treatment midway,” he said. Dr Pardeep from Christian Medical College and Hospital said the hospital received 80-85 patients every month. Three out of 10 cases were MDR-TB. “Either patients stop the treatment or do not take proper medication and become resistant to drugs,” said Dr Pardeep.

Ludhiana has 14 Detroit Medical Centres (DMCs). Every DMC receives 10 patients every month. Jagtar Singh, member of the TB Wing Employees Association and in charge of the DMC at Middha Chowk, said, “Most of the patients are suffering from MDR-TB.”

Dr Akashdeep, associate professor at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said the major reason behind the non-eradication of TB was that the guidelines were not being followed. “Sometimes, the patients get a medicine box from DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course). The course is for six months and medicine is to be taken on alternate days. Out of ignorance, people take medicines regularly and finish the course in three months which is ineffective. The DMCH on an average is receiving 150-200 patients in a month,” he said. “The major reason behind the spread of TB is not having medicines on time, if MDR-TB infects another person, he also becomes MDR-TB,” said Dr Akashdeep.

Latent and active TB

• Latent TB: In this condition, one has TB infection, but the bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state and cause no symptoms. Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn’t contagious. It can turn into active TB, so treatment is important for the person with latent TB and to help control the spread of TB in general.
• Active TB: This condition makes one sick and can spread to others. It can occur in the first few weeks after infection with the TB bacteria or it may occur years later.

Data given by doctors

• Approximate TB patients coming in private hospitals every month: 100.
• Approximate TB patients coming in government hospital every month: 550.

Patients

• Migrant population: 70 per cent.
• Rural population: 15 per cent.
• Urban population: 15 per cent.
• Since January 2014, 150 MDR-TB patients and 5 XDR-TB patients have been undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital.
• In September 2014, Civil Hospital received 347 new TB cases and 93 old cases. 

Signs and symptoms of active TB

• Coughing that lasts three or more weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain or pain with breathing or coughing
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Loss of appetite

Ludhiana, November 1
Teachers are in a fix. Reason: The Director General School Education (DGSE) has asked them to organise a science and maths quiz in schools. But this is not why the teachers are confused. They have been told that the questions will be based on drug addiction, traffic rules, moral values and altruism. Now, the teachers are wondering if drug addiction has anything to do with maths.

A letter has been issued to Director General Pushpa Gujral, Science City, Kapurthala, District Education Officers District Science Supervisors and schools head asking them to organise the block-level quiz for students of classes VI and VII on November 10. A district-level competition will be organised on November 18 while a state-level competition will be organised on November 25 at Science City, Kapurthala.

A school can send only three students. School heads and subject teachers will select the students.

Those securing the first second and third positions in the block-level quiz will be awarded Rs 1,800, Rs 1,200 and Rs 600, respectively. The district-level competition will be held under the guidance of the District Science Supervisors. The winners will be given Rs 2,400, Rs 1,800 and Rs 1,200.

Winners of the state-level quiz will be given Rs 5,100, Rs 3,100 and Rs 2,100. “We appreciate the efforts of the Education Department, but the questions should be related to maths and science. This way, the students will not be able to perform well,” said a teacher. 

Ludhiana, November 1
Sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits are making children prone to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Nine to 10 per cent of them suffer from NAFLD. The observation was made by Dr Dinesh Gupta, who recently won the Best Gastroenterologist of Punjab Award by Prime Time in Global Healthcare Awards. Dr Gupta said obesity was one of the leading causes of liver damage and more and more children were falling prey to it. “Nine-10 per cent of the children are affected by the disease,” said Dr Gupta. “Indians are of the primitive ideology that liver diseases do not affect non-drinkers,” said Dr Dinesh.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the term for a wide range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat within the liver cells. It is usually seen in people who are overweight or obese.

“Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what’s called a fatty liver and in turn causes swelling in the liver. People in the 30-40 age-group are more affected and now children are also falling in the category. Obesity, which is spreading like an epidemic, is one of the major causes and every fourth child is obese these days,” added Dr Gupta. Sedentary lifestyle, intake of junk food and no outdoor activity lead to NAFLD. “Regular exercise, brisk walk, proper control of diabetes and obesity, change in dietary habits are some of the measures that can be adopted to prevent the disease,” he stated.

People at risk of developing NAFLD

• Obese or overweight
• Have type 2 diabetes (this causes an increased uptake of fat into the liver cells)
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Are over the age of 50
• Smokers

Jagraon, November 1
The residents of various localities heaved a sigh of relief as the Jagraon Municipal Council started the construction work on Malak Road. The road, lying in a pathetic condition for a long time now, had been causing inconvenience to commuters.

It is learnt that the construction work on the road had started around a year back but, the work was stopped midway to lay sewerage pipes in the area.

The work of laying sewerage pipes completed a couple of months back. But, due to lack of funds with the Jagraon Municipal Council, the construction work could not see the light of day again.

“The road had not been recarpeted for more than one year. We had to face a lot of hardships during the recent past and now when the work has started, it has come as a huge respite for us,” said Avtar Singh, a retired teacher.

The work on some other development projects including fixing of interlocking tiles on some other roads was immediately started. But the residents of Malak Road had to wait for several months before the construction work began.

The residents have appealed to the Municipal Council to complete the construction work without causing any further delay.

The Jagraon Municipal Council Executive Officer, Davinder Toor, said the construction work on Malak Road has been started. “The construction work got delayed due to the work of laying sewerage pipes in the area. But now the work of laying sewerage pipes has been completed. We will complete the construction work on Malak Road at the earliest,”said Toor.

Ludhiana, November 1
An awareness campaign-cum-interaction meet was organised by the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), Bank of India, ICICI Bank, in association with Knitwear Club and Shawl Club.

Various schemes of the NSIC with emphasis on Bank Tie-up Scheme and B-2-C (Business to Customer)/B-2-B (Business to Business) Scheme, Public Procurement Policy, Tender/Consortia Marketing Schemes and National and International Exhibitions for MSMEs were discussed during the interaction.

The main purpose of the programme was to create awareness among the units of the hosiery cluster under the Knitwear Club and Shawl Club and to have direct interaction for credit facilitation to the units along with marketing support under B2B/B2C portal launched by the NSIC.

The programme was attended by more the 200 units.

The chairman of the Knitwear Club, Vinod Thapar, and secretary Charanjiv Singh motivated the units to come forward to avail benefits from government schemes as departments are providing doorstep services to the units.

Jagraon, November 1
The foundation stone of the building of New Science Block at Sanmati Government College of Science Education and Research, Jagraon, was laid down on Friday. Dr Roshan Sunkaria, principal secretary, Higher Education and Language Department, Punjab, was the chief guest during the occasion and laid down the foundation stone of the new block.

A function focusing on the menace of drug addiction was also organised in the college during the occasion. While addressing the students Dr Sunkaria highlighted the menace of drug addiction which has ruined the lives of thousands of people. He said the menace of drug addiction has reached alarming proportions in Punjab and it is high time to stop this menace from spreading further.

A colourful cultural program was also presented by the college students during the occasion. The college students gave a message against the evil of drug addiction by presenting debates and skits.

College director Mohinder Kaur Grewal thanked the chief guest for sharing his experiences with the students. 

Doraha, November 1
Annual cultural and prize distribution function was organized at Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School, Doraha. Students of class VI to XII showcased their talent by showing heart throbbing performances. Function commenced with auspicious lamp lightening ceremony performed by eminent Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa. He was chief guest on the occasion. Audience were thrilled with melodious notes of solo song, group song and ‘qawali’ performances.

Performance of classical dance, western dance, English play, Punjabi play, giddha, bhangra, Hindi skit enthralled everybody. Culminating performance of bhangra swayed everybody.

Toppers of class X and XII of academic session 2013-14 were awarded.—OC

Ludhiana, November 1
For a city with a population of over 16 lakh, where a number of buildings come up every day, there is only one permanent Assistant Town Planner (ATP).

Barring Zone B, where there is one ATP, all other three zones, i.e. A, C and D, have no permanent ATP. Also, the post of Senior Town Planner is vacant since January 2013, and the post of Municipal Town Planner is vacant since August 2013.

Interestingly, Zone C, which is being taken care of by the Head Draftsman as officiating ATP, will have no ATP or HDM as the official concerned will proceed on leave from November 10, with his retirement due on March 31, 2015.

The Head Draftsman in Zone A, who could have been given the charge of ATP, will retire on December 25. He has already proceeded on leave. The ATP, Zone A, who became a victim of political conspiracy and was asked to leave the station immediately by the Local Bodies Department, has already joined her new posting at Jalandhar. Zone D is being looking after by two persons: SS Bindra (ATP, Phagwara), who performs his duty twice a week here, and Vijay Kumar, another Head Draftsman.

There is also an acute shortage of building branch inspectors. Against the total sanctioned 25 posts, the MC is doing the needful with just nine inspectors.

Ludhiana, November 1
Ludhiana Book Club held its third meeting at Rajguru Nagar here yesterday. The main speaker of the evening was Prof KBS Sodhi, a distinguished educationist. He has undertaken the task of translation of English epics in Punjabi language and has already translated works of Shakespeare, Keats, Charles Dickens and Wordsworth. His translation of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” was selected for discussion by the members. Professor RS Brar, media coordinator, said the book was discussed from various aspects of literature, language and social context.

Prof KBS Sodhi read out and explained the salient features of the first four books. He also explained the technique of translation that helped him keep the spirit of the original work in the translated work. Initiating the discussion, Gurcharan Singh explained the historical, social and cultural context of the “Paradise Lost”.

Prof Krishan Singh made suggestions regarding diction and grammar. Dr GS Walia gave a brief account of “clairvoyance” as a practice in the developed world, while Dr Deepinder Singh, Prof Rajiv Verma and Prof Kanwaljit Singh joined the discussion on various spiritual and metaphysical elements in the book.

The next meeting of the book club will be held on the last Friday of November. 

Ludhiana, November 1
Continuing the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, about 300 workers of the BJP today cleaned the banks of Sutlej under the leadership of district unit chief Parveen Bansal. As many as 12 teams of BJP workers collected religious idols left under trees, street corners and roundabouts from different parts of the city.

Bansal said, “The teams collected religious idols kept by residents in different localities including Focal Point, Shakti Nagar, BRS Nagar, Jodhewal Basti, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Haibowal, Upkar Nagar, Salim Tabri and Shiwaji Nagar. These idols were taken to the banks of Sutlej for immersion, as they were water soluble.”

For about two hours, the teams also lifted the garbage strewn over the bank.

Bansal appealed to the public not to leave religious idols in the open.

He said, “It is ironical that first we worship these idols and when we want to replace these with new ones, we do not immerse the old ones, rather dispose them of here and there on streets or under peepal trees. This way we show disrespect to God. It should be stopped.”

Ludhiana, November 1
The Ludhiana branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) hosted a national conference on direct taxes. The Commissioner of Income Tax, Raman Goyal, was the chief guest.

He encouraged the CAs to play their important role in nation’s economy by sticking to the highest standards of performance and ethics the profession enjoys. He said there was a very pious responsibility cast upon the profession and it must meet the level of expectation.

Ludhiana, November 1
Punjab International Fashion Week began last evening amid glitz and glamour with supermodels, top designers and celebrities sashaying down the ramp. Designers Mona Pali from Kolkata and AD Singh and Rocky S from Mumbai presented their collection amid cheers on the first day of the three-day fashion event at Radisson Blu.

Glamour struck: Models walk the ramp during Punjab International Fashion Week in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

Actor-model Koena Mitra was the showstopper for designer AD Singh, while supermodel Priyanka Shah was the showstopper for Mona Pali.

Mona Pali presented their collection Uber depicting the fusion of Indian and Western wear, while AD Singh presented his collection Diva on the Red Carpet. His collection teams up with Swarovski crystals and innovative cuts that are extremely feminine and fluid. Rocky S presented an extravagant chic collection that had the sparkling touch in beige, rose, ivory, pistachio that blended with his signature black colour. Noted model Deepali Gujral was the showstopper for his collection.

Mitra said that she had come to the state for the first time and was enjoying her stay here. She said that she is currently working in an American movie.

Residents were elated to have the fashion week return to the city.

“This is the only fashion week that takes place in the city. So, we all look forward to this week and this time it was no different. But unfortunately, the number of days for the event are now down to three days,” said Shivani, a fashion enthusiast.

Ludhiana, November 1
The underpass below the railway line near Lodhi Club is near completion and it will be opened for the general public on November 6. This was revealed by Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon during an interaction with mediapersons at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. He said final touches are being given to the underpass by GLADA, and it would be carpeted by the LIT in the next two days.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said the underpass had been completed by GLADA at a cost of Rs 33 cror, and it half a kilometer long.

Till the opening of the underpass, a special route has been opened from Housing Board Colony and Rajguru Nagar for the convenience of commuters.

Supreet Singh Gulati from the LIT said 2.5 km road is being created along the underpass that would be completed in the next couple of days.

Yesterday, a delegation of local Congress workers led by PPCC economic and political planning cell chairman Ishawarjot Cheema and Congress block president Kulbir Singh Neeta brought to the notice of MP Ravneet Singh Bittu and MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu the deliberate delay in the opening up of the underpass. On the suggestion of Bharat Bhushan Ashu, it was decided that if the underpass was not inaugurated in the next three days by the local government, the group of Congress workers led by Bittu and Ashu would throw open the underpass to public.

Ludhiana, November 1
Captivating artwork and impressive oratory skills were displayed by the students of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) during the third day of the Inter-College Youth Festival today. Students depicted scenes and sights of the campus on colourful canvass in the on-the-spot painting competition. Rangoli competitions added splash of colour with young students displaying their artistic skills by sprinkling the Rangoli power to create artistic creations.

Students impressed one and all with their artistic skills, creative designs, and aesthetic sense during on-the-spot painting and rangoli competitions. Pressing on the theme—Festivals are a great binding force in India. Students presented their best show with their oratory skills. In on-the-spot painting competition, Munish Verma (College of Agricultural Engineering) bagged the first prize. In Elocution, Anmol Grewal from College of Basic Sciences won the first prize.

In extempore speech competition, Sameer Sood from College of Basic Sciences clinched the first prize. 

Ludhiana, November 1
A workshop was organised at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Educational Unit, to promote scientific awareness and significance of research among the postgraduate residents. The workshop was held in collaboration with the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of India (FOGSI), Journal of Obstetric and Gynaecological Society of India (JOGF) and the Programme for Inculcating Culture of Scientific Enquiry and Pursuit (PICSEP).

The aim of the workshop was to apprise the resident doctors of the basics of conducting research and to inculcate in them an interest of carrying out research in future. Various other doctors delivered informative and enlightening lectures on various topics including how to prepare a dissertation and how to write a paper. Dr Suvarna Khadilkar, gynae endocrinologist from Mumbai, was the national faculty and chief guest for the events. 

Ludhiana, November 1
Jalandhar district bagged the overall trophy at the Punjab State Women Games that concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Competitions in twelve sports disciplines were conducted during this three-day sports extravaganza. Jalandhar eves secured 24 points to finish well ahead of others.

Patiala district earned 21 points to finish second, while hosts Ludhiana, with 19 points, had to content themselves with the third position.

In the track-and-field events, athletes from Bathinda and Patiala secured 32 points each, but the former were awarded the team championship, while Jalandhar finished on the third place with 23 points.

Today, in 200m race, Manpreet Kaur of Patiala clocked 24.32 seconds, enabling her to lift the gold. She was followed by Sukhwinder Kuar of Jalandhar who took 25.32 seconds to win silver medal and Khushwinder Kaur’s timing of 26.11 seconds fetched her the bronze.

In 1500m race, Sharanjit Kaur of Gurdaspur won the gold, clocking 4:45.93 minutes, and Gurpreet Kaur from Tarn Taran got silver medal in 4:46.39 minutes, while Jyoti Saini of Hoshiarpur secured the bronze in 4:48.58 minutes.

In javelin throw, gold medal was bagged by Prabhdeep Kaur of Mohali with a throw of 36.27m, Amandeep Kaur of Patiala won silver with 35.21m and Balwinder Kaur of Ludhiana got bronze with 33.90m.

In 4x400m relay, Patiala quartet won gold in 4:02.13 minutes, while Sangrur team won silver in 4:08.90 minutes and Ludhiana got bronze in 4:12.24 minutes.

In table tennis, Roop Nagar overwhelmed Amritsar 3-0 for the gold and Patiala blanked Ludhiana 3-0 for the bronze.

Amritsar won gold in kabaddi defeating Ropar 19-13, whereas Ferozepur got bronze after getting better of Jalandhar 15-12.

Jalandhar outplayed Patiala 4-1 in the hockey final and Amritsar won bronze medal defeating the Muktsar side 5-2 in a penalty shootout.

Jalandhar shuttlers managed to prevail upon Sangrur 2-1 to win gold in badminton while Ludhiana and Jalandhar were declared third jointly and shared the bronze medal.

In basketball, hosts Ludhiana quelled a stiff challenge from Jalandhar before coming out victorious 59-52 to lift the gold medal and Patiala won bronze defeating Kapurthala 65-37.

In handball, Roop Nagar won gold defeating Ludhiana 18-13, whereas Tarn Taran beat Ferozepur 22-20 for the bronze medal.

Sangrur won gold in volleyball beating Jalandhar in a one-sided match 3-0, while Mansa outplayed Ludhiana 3-0 for the bronze.

In kho-kho final, Sangrur outclassed Jalandhar 11-4 to win gold medal and hosts Ludhiana got bronze medal defeating Patiala 6-4.

In swimming, Ludhiana proved its class winning team championships with 67 points and Sangrur won silver medal with 26 while Jalandhar secured bronze medal with 11 points.

In lawn tennis, Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana secured first, second and third positions, respectively.

Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Minister for Irrigation, Punjab was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. He congratulated the position holders and urged the girls to take an active part in sports for their overall development.