Ludhiana, November 11
With the offer for fresh bids to run the city bus service on an operate-and-maintain basis closing today, the buses might resume their regular run on the city roads in the near future. The local bus service, being operated by the Municipal Corporation through Ludhiana City Bus Service Limited, has been lying non-operational since July 2014 after the contractor expressed its inability to continue the service.

The MC had invited fresh bids through e-tendering from reputed transporters and agencies and originally the bids were to be received till October 7, 2014. However, the last date for submission of bids was extended to November 11, 2014. The fresh bids received to run the city bus service will be opened on November 13, 2014.

It was officially stated that the MC had invited bids on a cluster basis and the bidders were required to make offer for one or more clusters, which comprise three or four defined routes on which the buses are to be operated. The entire network of the city bus service has been divided into three clusters.

Initially, the MC will engage the contractor for a fleet of 105 buses while subsequently 100 odd new buses would be added to the fleet of city bus service. The offer document says the to begin with, the contractor will run 105 buses which include 40 low floor non-AC buses, 35 semi-low floor non-AC buses, 25 midi non-AC buses and five low floor AC buses.

As per the offer document, cluster 1 will have three routes connecting Jalandhar Bypass (GT Road), Samrala Chowk and the Haibowal area with bus stands. In this cluster buses would be operated on route No. 1 – Metro to bus stand, route No. 5 – Balloke to the local bus stand and route No. 6 – Meharban to the local bus stand.

In cluster 2, there would be four routes connecting Chandigarh Road, GT Road, Gill Road and the Shimlapuri area with the bus stands and buses would run on route no. 2 – Kohara to the bus stand, route No. 4 – the bus stand to Alamgir, route No. 7 – Sahnewal to the bus stand and route No. 9 – Shimlapuri to the bus stand.

Similarly, the cluster 3 will have three routes connecting Ferozepur Road, Pakhowal Road and Dugri Road with the bus stand. In this cluster, buses would be operated on route No. 3 – Lalton Kalan to the bus stand, route No. 8 – Baddowal to the bus stand and route no. 10 – the bus stand to Kheri Jhameri.

Ludhiana, November 11
Tightening the noose on doctors showing laxity while discharging their duties, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Surjeet Kumar Jayani, today chargesheeted Dr Alka Mittal, a gynaecologist posted at the Civil Hospital, and issued a show-cause notice to Dr Raj Kumar Karkara, Senior Medical Officer.

In a statement issued here today, the minister said he visited the Ludhiana Civil Hospital this afternoon after receiving a call regarding the inattentive attitude and frequent absenteeism among the doctors and he found that the complaint was based on absolute facts.

Dr Alka Mittal, a gynecologist, was found absent without informing her seniors. She was supposed to attend the OPD today, which was being handled by a junior doctor.

The minister immediately asked the official of the department to chargesheet the doctor. Jayani took note of Dr Karkara’s failure to take any punitive action against the doctors (posted at the Civil Hospital), who were prescribing medicines to patients even though enough stocks were lying at the hospital. A show-cause notice was issued to Dr Karkara.

The minister said Dr Karkara ignored the directive of the state government to provide medicines to patients at the hospitals.

Jayani has not disclosed the names of the complainants to protect them. He said he would always be available to the public on the mobile.

Ludhiana, November 11
After the imposition of sharing charges on water and sewerage by the Municipal Corporation, the local industry got another blow with the government increasing the factory licence renewal charges.

The industry is already reeling under the heavy taxation and power charges. The Punjab Pradesh Congress (Urban) Development Cell has threatened the government with a protest if the latter failed to roll back the increase in the factory licence renewal charges by November 25.

Ramesh Joshi, chairman of the cell, said the government was working against the trade and business in the state. “Financial burden on the business community has been further increased as the factory renewal fees have been increased three times. If the government fails to roil back the hike within 15 days, they will launch a fast on the Jagraon bridge on November 26,” said Joshj.

Charanjit Singh Vishivkarma, president of the United Cycle and Parts Association, said it was surprising to know that the government had increased the factory licence renewal charges three times and bifurcated the rates on the basis of kilowatt used and labour.

“To add to our woes, the government is planning to collect advance charges up to 5 years. The Punjab industry is already going through a recession due to various government taxes and policies. The government is blocking all the working capital by charging fees in advance - first advance cash deposit on electricity and now factory renewal charges,” said Vishivkarma.

About 40 per cent of the industrial units have closed down due to various government policies. Punjab, which is an industrial hub, provides employment to a large number of people as well as revenue to the government. Instead of encouraging the industrial sector, the government is demoralising it by imposing heavy taxes. The government should encourage the industry in order to earn more revenue and create more jobs. If this scenario continues, then either the industry will shut down here or it will shift to other states, said Inderjit Singh Navyug, office-bearer of the UCPMA.

Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation said they were not going to deposit the licence renewal charges. “We are not going to deposit the charges at the renewed rates. We will prefer to shut down our units instead. The government is working against the industry and we fail to understand the reason behind the same. We are not going to deposit the charges,” he said.

Ludhiana, November 11
With winters come ailments like cold, cough and fever, particularly as the weather changes. But the city-based Ayurveda experts say one should look towards the kitchen before heading out to see a doctor, both for prevention and curing such ailments.

Both from the folk medicine and textually sanctioned remedies in Ayruveda, one can be healthy and fit in any season. For winters also there are many home remedies, says Dr R Vatsyayan, a city-based Ayurveda expert.

Decoctions obtained by boiling herbs like banaksha, saunf, clove, liquorice, cinnamon, cardamom and tusli are particularly beneficial for cough and cold, he says. These are anti-flu, relieve fever, cure sore throat and bronchitis also, he adds.

Herbs, including brahmi, jatamansi and shankhpushpi help relieve restlessness, depression, sleepiness for their tranquilising properties.

For a general increase in immunity during this season, ashwagandha, shatavar, almonds and dates are beneficial when taken with milk. These are good health tonics also, he adds.

The problem of constipation tends to rise during this season among elderly persons. Laxative brews made by mixing barley, liquorice (mulaitthi), anjeer (chopped figs) and pulp of amaltas provide relief from the condition.

Herbal teas made from dry coriander, cumin and saunf have a digestive effect. Harinder Singh, a chemist who sells ayurvedic products, said there was an upswing in the sales of different brands of herbal tea. 

Ludhiana, November 11
Burglars decamped with valuables from a house located in the Rajguru Nagar area on Sunday night. The tenant, Parteek Singh, along with his family, was in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, when the theft took place. They returned to Ludhiana on Monday night and found that house ransacked.

Parteek said thieves had stolen an LCD, still camera, a branded watch, cloths, Rs 7,000 and other costly articles. He said: “The thieves entered the house through the roof.”

Parteek works at a private firm. He said: “I, along with my family, went to my native place to attend some occasion. The locks were broken and the rooms ransacked. I informed the Sarabha Nagar police, who reached the spot soon.”

“A week ago we left for Meerut. My neighbours told me that they had not found anything suspicious till Sunday. So, it seems the thieves struck on the night of November 9”.

A case has been registered the investigation launched.

Ludhiana, November 11
The Guru Nanak Engineering College (GNEC) authorities have suspended four students and banned the entry of one for their involvement in an act of indiscipline.

According to information, two groups were involved in a scuffle at the college.

The suspended students include Daljinder Singh (MBA), Gurjant Singh (MCA), Khushdeep Singh Toor (MBA).

Ramandeep, PA to Director, GNEC, said the college had formed a committee that would investigate the matter and further action would be taken against the students accordingly. — TNS

Ludhiana Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Ludhiana, Jagraon, Khanna, Mandi Ahmedgarh and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to ludhiana.feedback@gmail.com

They can also send their views to: Feedback, Ludhiana Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Ludhiana Tribune' on the envelope and it must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. 

Ludhiana, November 11
More than 30 victims of immigration fraud demonstrated in front of the office of a travel agent at Dugri here today.

The demonstrators alleged that the immigration agent fled with their passports and duped them on the pretext of sending them abroad.

It is learnt that a woman, who used to run a travel agency, allegedly took between Rs 30,000 and Rs 1.50 lakh from each victim for sending them to Malaysia on work permit.

The victims alleged that the woman asked them to reach the international airport at New Delhi on Monday to board a flight to Malaysia, but her mobile phones were reported switched off when they tried to contact her.

They said when they visited the office of the immigration agent, they found it locked. This infuriated them and they damaged the office furniture.

One of the victims claimed that he managed to locate a girl, who used to work at the immigration agent’s office, but the police did not take action on their complaint.

Sources said the woman allegedly duped more than 100 persons of over Rs 20 lakh.

Ramandep Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, said, “We received the complaint of the victims and initiated an inquiry immediately. The girl, who used to work as a receptionist at the immigration agent’s office, is also cooperating us. We will register a case in this regard.”

Vishavjeet Singh , Shingara Singh, Darminder Singh, Labh Singh, Zora Singh, Bhagwan Singh, Sarpreet Singh and Manjinder Singh were among the complainants.

Jagraon, November 11
An inquiry has been initiated against an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) at the Jagraon city police station for failing to act in a theft case reported a few days ago.

According to the details available, some unidentified persons broke into the house of Subhash Chander Bhandari in the old grain market area of Jagraon on the night of October 30 and decamped with goods worth several thousands. A complaint in this regard was lodged at the local police and ASI Joga Singh was directed to investigate the case. However, the policeman failed to take a quick action in this regard.

Sources said the victim party then approached Jagraon SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar and told him that the investigating officer has not taken any action in the case. Following this, the SSP ordered a departmental inquiry in the matter and summoned ASI Joga Singh to the Police Lines.

Confirming the development, Jagraon SHO Shiv Chand said a departmental inquiry has been initiated against ASI Joga Singh and he has been called to the Police Lines till the inquiry against him is pending.

Jagraon, November 11
Several workers and leaders of the Congress’ Jagraon unit today urged the party high command to field a local leader from the Jagraon constituency for the next state Assembly elections.

Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Pritam Singh Akhara said the local party workers would not accept an outsider as the party candidate for the next Assembly elections. “The Congress lost the Jagraon seat last time as it fielded a ‘parachute’ candidate. The outsider candidates are not acceptable to the party cadre. If the party high command again decides to send a ‘parachute’ candidate to Jagraon, it would have to face a similar fate,” claimed Akhara.

Party sources said these Congress leaders and workers were opposing the appointment of Bibi Jagdarshan Kaur as observer in Jagraon. These leaders claim that Bibi Jagdarshan Kaur was trying to project herself as the party candidate from the Jagraon constituency for the next Assembly elections.

It may be mentioned here that the Jagraon constituency has been reserved for Schedule Caste candidates.

In the last Assembly elections, when Jagraon was turned into a reserved constituency, the party high command shifted Isher Singh Meharban from Koomkalan to Jagraon. But Meharban lost the elections to SAD candidate SR Kaler by a small margin and later, joined the SAD.

Akhara said there were several local party leaders who have mass appeal. “There are several local leaders who have been serving the party for a long time. The party high command should provide a chance to such leaders and nurse them as the party candidate for the next election,” he said.

Punjab Congress Executive Committee member and SC Wing chairman Ajmer Singh Dholan, former Block Congress president Rajeshinder Singh Sidhu, Principal Srain Singh, Darshan Singh Desh Bhagat and several other party leaders were present at the press conference.

Bibi Jagdarshan Kaur said she has been appointed as observer by the party high command and would continue to serve the party. She denied that she was trying to project herself as the party candidate for the next elections. “The next Assembly elections are too far and it is entirely up to the party high command to take a call on finalising the party candidate for the Jagraon seat,” she added.

Ludhiana, November 11
Awareness was raised against female foeticide here today. Following instructions of the Social Security and Women and Child Welfare Department, the district program officer, Rupinder Kaur, organised a programme for hearing and speech-impaired children at Braille Bhawan Jamalpur. A play, titled ‘Sirjana’, and choreography, ‘Mere Pind Diyan Kudiyan’, were part of the programme. These were performed in collaboration with the Lok Kala Manch.

A seminar on the issue and a rally were also organised on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the district program officer said such seminars and plays would make people aware about the social evil.

KK Singa, Judicial Magistrate and secretary, Legal Services Authority, spoke about the need for creating awareness on the legal rights of women and to prevent crimes against them. He also apprised the audience of the functioning of the Legal Services Authority and free legal services available.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Nov 11
Social and literary organisations have demanded a ban on establishment of cremation ground on caste basis.

The demand was raised following the verdict of the Supreme Court interdicting inclusion of caste details in the Census.

Office-bearers and activists of social and literary organisations, led by Navneet Singh Sekhon and Avtar Singh Dhamot, patron and president of Shabad Taqsal Kilahans, resolved that the practice of establishing separate cremation grounds for various classes in villages and towns should be stopped immediately.

Showing concern over the alleged discrimination against members of certain groups and castes in the society, poets and writers, including Harman Sufi Lehra, Ram Singh Bhikhi, Satnam Singh Johal, Gurpreet Kilahans, Gurpreet Billa Ghudani and Bagga Hanspuri, highlighted causes and consequences of social evils such as caste discrimination, gender bias, drug addiction and illiteracy.

Ludhiana, November 11
Five more patients have tested positive for dengue. A female patient, aged 60 years and a resident of Mahavir Jain Colony, is under treatment at the CMC.

A 20-year-old youth from Jassian Road, a 25-year-old woman from Madhopuri, a 37-year-old female from the PAU and a 14-year-old girl from the Rahon road also tested positive for dengue and have been admitted to the DMCH, Ludhiana.

The total number of dengue patients diagnosed in Ludhiana hospitals has risen to 187; of these, 140 belong to Ludhiana, 41 to other districts and six to other states. — TNS

Ludhiana, November 11
The XXIII meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Regional Committee V, comprising the states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, will be jointly organised by the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), on November 14 and 15.

The meeting will be held at the PAU under the Chairmanship of Dr S Ayyappan, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Government of India, and director general, ICAR, New Delhi.

Dr KML Pathak, deputy director general (Animal Science), ICAR, is the Nodal Officer while Dr DK Sharma, director, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, is the member secretary of the meet. The regional committee aims to review the status of farm research and education in the region. Besides, its objective is to analyse and make recommendations on the location specific problems of agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry of the region.

About 150 senior officers including agricultural secretaries of the states, vice-chancellors of agricultural/veterinary universities, deputy and assistant director generals, directors of different institutes, heads of regional stations of the Institute of ICAR, non-government agencies, and progressive farmers will be participating in the meet.

During the meet, the action taken report of the recommendations made during the last meeting held at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi in the month of December 2012 will be reviewed. The research and extension agenda for the next two years will be prepared. Keeping in view the problems being experienced in the states related to agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and agro-forestry, the programme will be formulated for research, education and extension on priority basis. 

Ludhiana, November 11
Members of the Class IV Government Employees Union staged a protest outside the Government College for Girls for alleged maltreatment and exploitation by the principal of the college. They alleged that one of the workers deputed on cleanliness work at the college Jyoti Kumar died as he was overworked and given too much work despite ill health.

Jora Singh, president of the union, alleged that Kumar was under pressure and had the duty to clean gateway, car parking, men’s toilet and girls’ hostel which according to the workers was too much for him.

Surinder Kaur, wife of the deceased, said Kumar used to work from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm at the college. They demanded that a member of the family should be given job in his place. They said that owning to ill health, he had also sought transfer from the college. The members also said another employee Tarlochan Singh was being given more work and he was also suffering from ill-health due to overwork.

Members of the union also said to have complained against the principal to Director of Public Instructions (Colleges). Members said if any worker faces any problems, the principal of the college should be responsible for it.

Principal of the college Gurminder Kaur said she is shocked at the allegations. “All these allegations are baseless,” she said. “How can a principal of a government college even afford to do anything wrong,” she asked. Now that the issue is being blown out of proportions, the inspection committee should come and see for themselves and find out the truth, she added.

Everything is done according to procedure, and the campus committee allocates duties to safai sewaks and gardeners fairly. Some workers were employed temporarily during youth festival, but the union demanded they should be given jobs, principal said. Apart from the government employees in Class IV grade, others are given salaries from PTA at rates decided by the Deputy Commissioner. She said the college cannot afford to misuse the funds given by students. 

Ludhiana, November 11
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised International Emergency Medicine and Trauma Symposium in collaboration with American Academy and Global Academy of Emergency Medicine.

Organising Secretary Dr Rajesh Mahajan said the symposium was organised to discuss the issues pertaining to care of trauma patients and those having an emergency illness.

The symposium was formally inaugurated by guest speakers from abroad and medical administrators including vice-principal Dr Sandeep Puri, Chief Cardiologist Dr GS Wander and Medical Superintendent Dr Sandeep Sharma.

Dr Pankaj Arora from Australia, president of American Academy of Emergency Medicine in India (AAEMI), delivered lecture on ‘Airway Management’ and ‘Sepsis after Arise’. Airway management is a medical process of ensure an open pathway between a patient’s lungs and the outside world, as well as reducing the risk of aspiration. Airway management is a primary consideration in cardiopulmonary resucitation anaesthesia, emergency medicine, intensive care.

Dr Anita Bhavnani, president of Global Academy of Emergency Medicine (GAEM), spoke on ‘Producing Emergency Physician in India with International Collaboration’.

Dr Terry Mulligan from University of Mayland, USA, spoke on ‘Globalisation of Emergency Medicine Training’. In his lecture, Dr Mulligan said emergency medicine training as a global discipline should be mandatory in all tertiary care hospitals. It provides a tool for primary prevention and helps in incorporating the scope of emergency medicine care into the system of public health care for the benefit of the health of public at large. He also spoke on ‘Care of Geriatric patients’refering to elderly people.

Dr SV Mahadevan from Stanford University, USA, spoke on the topics —‘What’s New in Trauma’ and ‘Procedural Sedation’. In the last decade, several new treatments have been introduced in trauma care.

Ludhiana, November 11
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) today demonstrated in front of the State Bank of India and decided to launch an agitation for early and better wage revision settlement.

Banks will be on strike on November 12 and 4. Zonal strikes will be observed from December 2 to 5.

Naresh Gaur, convener, United Forum of Bank Unions, said the Indian Banks Association (IBA) had invited the United Forum of Bank Unions for a round of bipartite talk. The UFBU expressed its willingness to revise its demand to 23 per cent keeping in mind the need to find an amicable solution to the issue. “The IBA did not heed our demands. The IBA urged the unions to defer their strike. The callous attitude of the IBA is forcing the UFBU to go ahead with its agitation,” said Pawan Thakur, president, Punjab Bank Employees Federation (Ludhiana unit). The UFBU will observe a one-day strike on 12 November. A rally will be taken out in front of Canara Bank, Bharat Nagar Chowk.

Ludhiana, November 11
Ayurveda can do wonders as far as health-related challenges are concerned. This was stated by experts during the sixth World Ayurveda Congress held in New Delhi recently. City based ayurveda physician Dr R Vatsyayan also attended the meet.

“India’s overall health indicators remain below international averages. Rapid changes in India’s society and lifestyle have led to a surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), comprising mainly heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and allergies. Ayurveda has definitely an edge over other systems where prevention is more important than cure, but sadly ayurveda remains underutilised,” said Vatsyayan.

The event was organised by the Department of Ayurveda Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to facilitate acceptance and recognition of ayurveda as a complete health system adoptable in all countries across the world, to elaborate and explain scientific underpinning of ayurveda and to make it an integral part of healthcare management.

Four plenary sessions, 25 parallel academic sessions, seminars on medicinal plants, yoga and diet and lifestyle were held. It was the biggest congregation of practitioners of the ancient system of medicine as more than 4,000 delegates from India and abroad attended it. There was vast representation of various agencies dealing in ayurvedic trade and industry, research institutions, ayurveda universities and teaching institutions. Various government departments coming under AYUSH such as the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Sidha (CCRAS), National Medicinal Plants Board, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth and Institutions of Yoga and Naturopathy also participated.

Vatsayayan said gradually the class of pure ayurveda practitioners was becoming a rarity and it was sad to see that more and more ayurveda doctors were using allopathic medicines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too wants ayurveda doctors to develop confidence and impart the basics of a healthy diet and proper lifestyle to patients.

Ludhiana, November 11
The Punjab Brick-Kiln Workers Union today held a protest and burnt the effigy of the Punjab Government. As many as 300 brick kilns in Punjab have closed down due to complex mining rules as owners need to take environmental clearance before digging up sand.

The protesters demanded that mining norms should be relaxed.

Tarsem Jodhan, general secretary of the union, said laws were complex and the brick-kiln mafia wanted to sell bricks at exorbitant rates. He said if they opened any brick-kiln, the department shut it down. “This is not only affecting owners, but also thousands of workers,” he said. He added that the mafia planned to re-open the brick-kilns in February and during that time of the year, the production is low.

“The government should relax the mining norms so that the workers are not rendered jobless and their efforts are recognised,” he added.

Ludhiana, November 11
Gurmit Singh Gill, president (Punjab), Indian National Overseas Congress (USA), today lashed out at the Punjab Government for not safeguarding the interests of NRIs.

At a press conference, Gurmit Gill, hailing from Mullanpur, Ludhiana district, said cancellation of the annual NRI Sammelan was unacceptable, adding that it had exposed the failure of the SAD-BJP combine.

He said the Akali-BJP government had failed to check land sharks.

Gill said the state government was in the habit of making false promises, adding that funds should be granted to the NRIs to hire lawyers to solve land dispute cases.

He alleged that thousands of false FIRs had been lodged against the NRIs and their relatives. “The NRIs fear that they will be implicated in false cases if they enter Punjab,” he said. He said the CM and the Deputy CM should get a list of NRI investments published.

The NRIs avoid investing in companies here as they feel threatened.

Gill urged the NRIs to work together to show the Akalis the door. Surinder Dawar, MLA, Jassi Khangura ex-MLA, KK Bawa, Gurbachan “Gary” Grewal, Kanwar Gill, Harpreet Sidhwan, Resham Singh Saggar, Hardeep Garcha, Pawan Garg, Lovely, Jaimal Toor, CL Barta, Ragni Jain and others were also present.

Jagraon, November 11
Five persons, including two bank employees and a woman, sustained injuries in three separate road mishaps that occurred in the Jagraon area during the last 24 hours.

Two employees of the UCO Bank’s Mallha village branch near Jagraon got injured this morning when an unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle on the Jagraon railway over bridge (ROB). The victims, identified as Ajit Singh and Darshan Malhotra, both residents of Ludhiana, were going for work this morning when the mishap took place. Some passersby rushed them to the Civil Hospital, Jagraon. As their condition was critical, doctors there referred them to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana. They are stated to be out of danger. The police have initiated efforts to trace the unidentified vehicle that hit the motorcycle.

In another accident that took place last evening, one person got injured as the motorcycle he was riding on collided with a Maruti Esteem car near Gurdwara Nanaksar Sahib on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway. Some passersby rushed the victim, identified as Narinder Singh, a resident of Kothe Hari Singh village near Jagraon, to the Civil Hospital, Jagraon, where his condition is learnt to be stable.

A police team recorded the statement of the victim. On his complaint, a case of negligence driving has been registered against the car driver, identified as Jagdeep Singh of Gurusar Kaunke village.

Meanwhile, a couple sustained injuries when their scooter collided head-on with a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction near Ramghar Bhullar village on the Jagraon-Sidhwan Bet road. The victims have been identified as Jarnail Singh and his wife Karamjit Kaur. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.

On the statement of Jarnail Singh, the police have registered a case of negligence driving against Sunny Kumar, a resident of Malseehan Bhai Ke village near Jagraon. 

Ludhiana, November 11
Judicial Magistrate Nirmala Devi has convicted Amarjit Singh of Urban Estate Phase I, Dugri, in a cheque-bounce case. He was sentenced to one-year imprisonment. A fine of Rs 8,000 has also been imposed on him.

Ludhiana, November 11
Players of Alpine International Senior Secondary School reigned supreme, winning five out of six titles, which were at stake in the Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex (West) Table Tennis Tournament held yesterday. Paddlers from the school were so dominant that they also won the overall trophy. DAV Public School, Jagraon, bagged one title.

In the boys’ U-14 category, Alpine International School blanked Sacred Heart Convent School 3-0 and in the girls’ section in the same age-group, Alpine International School overpowered Amrit Indo Canadian Academy 3-1 to clinch the titles. Alpine School players proved their mettle in the girls’ U-16 section as they got the better of Guru Hargobind Academy 3-1 to lay their hands on the winners’ trophy but went down 0-3 against DAV Public School, Jagraon, in the boys’ section. Likewise, Alpine International School stamped its class in the U-19 category wrapping up titles in the boys’ as well as girls’ sections.

In the boys’ section, they had to fight it tooth and nail to edge out Peace Public School 3-2 and in the girls’ section, Alpine International School scored an identical win (3-2) over Amrit Indo Canadian Academy.

Rajeshwari Dhir, principal, Alpine International School, appreciated the students’ outstanding achievement.

Jagraon, November 11
Eastwood International School, Mullanpur, defeated Tagore Public School, Birmi, by 3-0 goals in the U-19 category during the opening match of the Ludhiana Sahodaya School Complex (West) Football Championship that started at Guru Nanak Public School Mullanpur Dakha today.

In the second match of the day, SK Public School, Talwandi Bhai, defeated Amrit Indo-Canadian Academy, Ladian, by 3-0 goals while the host school, Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur Dakha, and Amrit Indo-Canadian Academy, Ladian, were given a walkover against Jatindera Green Field School Gurusar Sudhar and Peace Public School, Mullanpur, respectively, as both the teams failed to appear for the match.

Sacred Heart School, Jagraon, beat SGND Convent School, Raikot, by 2-1 goals whereas Eastwood International School, Mullanpur Dakha, emerged victorious by beating Satya Adarsh Bharti School Sherpur Kalan by 3-0 goals in the U-16 category.

GHG Academy, Jagraon, defeated Satya Adarsh Bharti School, Sherpur Kalan, by 3-0 goals in the U-14 category while Tagore Public School, Birmi, was given a walkover against SK Public School, Talwandi Bhai.

Earlier, Dr Bhupinder Singh Saran, president, Guru Nanak Education and Social Welfare Trust, was the chief guest and declared the championship open.

He encouraged the participants to give equal importance to sports and studies for their overall development. He also told the students to take a pledge to rid the nation of drugs and violence.

Secretary of the Trust Charanjit Singh Gahour was also present.

Doraha, November 11
Mehta Gurukul Senior Secondary School defeated Shakti Model Senior Secondary School to lift the trophy during the 16th Inter-School Diwali Hockey Tournament organised in memory of Dr Ishwar Singh, founder president of Guru Nanak National College.

In the semifinals, Shakti Public Senior Secondary School defeated Malwa Khalsa Senior Secondary School 2-1. In another game, Mehta Gurukul Senior Secondary School defeated Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School 5-4. In the final played between Shakti Model Senior Secondary School and Mehta Gurukul Senior Secondary School, the latter defeated the former 5-4.

Jogeshwar Singh Mangat, senior vice-president of the college, Pavittarpal Singh Pangali, treasurer of the managing committee and former president, Kisan Club, PAU, Ludhiana, Hardarshan Singh Mangat, were present.

They congratulated the winning team and exhorted the runners-up to gear up for the next competition. Mehta Gurukul Senior Secondary School was given a cash of Rs 11,000. The runners-up, Shakti Model Senior Secondary School was given a cash prize of Rs 5,100. Individual trophies were also given.

Principal Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. “It is due to the efforts of the founder president that the tournament had become a regular feature and with the passage of time, we have received an overwhelming response from budding players,” he opined.

Director Jaswant Singh Gill told the players that they should put in tireless efforts and promote the game so that it gets international recognition and acclaim.