The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

learner’s licence
Now, file applications online
Ludhiana, November 16
Finally, the District Transport Office is going to launch the online process for getting learner’s licence tomorrow (Monday). The forms for applying for learner’s licence can be downloaded from the website: www.punjabtrasnport.com. Anil Garg, District Transport Officer, Ludhiana, said: “After downloading the form, an applicant can submit it online. He or she has to submit a hard copy of the submitted form along with his passport size photograph at the Children’s Park office where licences are prepared.

Reality Check
Not a penny released for Ward Number 52
Ludhiana, November 16
Residents of Ward No. 52 have been facing a lot of problem due to poor condition of roads, improper arrangements for garbage disposal and absence of parking in the main markets. Area councillor Narinder Sharma seems to be helpless when it comes to providing respite to the residents, as the Municipal Corporation (MC) has not issued any funds for development in his current tenure.

Hari Singh Road in the ward is in bad shape. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

COMMUNITY

Tributes paid to Kartar Singh Sarabha
Ludhiana, November 16
The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today paid homage to Kartar Singh Sarabha on his 100th Martyrdom Day. Led by party leaders, the rank and file of the two Left parties offered flowers at the statue of Sarabha who laid down his life at a tender age for the freedom of the country. Speakers at the rally called upon the people to save the much-achieved gains of freedom, secularism and democracy.

The statue of Kartar Singh Sarabha being garlanded in Ludhiana on Sunday. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

86th Martyrdom Day of Lala Lajpat Rai
Freedom fighter's house faces neglect
Jagraon, November 16
The ancestral house of freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai in Mohalla Misarpura speaks volumes of the apathy of the government. The near-collapsing building has been facing neglect for the past many years, with the Central and the state government doing a little. Having conferred with titles such as Punjab Kesari and Sher-e-Punjab, the leader’s ancestral house bears a testimony to the government’s indifference towards preserving the memorials.

Call of faith: Devotees submerge in divinity during Lord Jagannath Yatra. Treading the path of faith, the followers offered prayers and organised langars across Ludhiana on Sunday.

Lord Jagannath Yatra was taken out in Ludhiana on Sunday. Lakhs of rupees were spent by organisers to make the event memorable and successful. Devotees from far-flung areas joined the yatra. While most of the residents and devotees enthusiastically took part and enjoyed the yatra, some of them felt that it should have been a low-key affair so that the common man was not affected. “Commuters had to face inconvenience,” said Sukarma, a homemaker. But at the same time, volunteers made it a point to clean all routes.

Revelling in religious fervour: Devotees shower flower petals on the Rath of Lord Jagannath in Ludhiana on Sunday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Devotees welcoming Lord Jagannath Yatra. Tribune photos: Himanshu Mahajan

Much-awaited MC general house
It’s a never ending wait
Ludhiana, November 16
Councillors are eagerly waiting for Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria to convene the General House. The latter had stated that the meeting would be held by the end of November. Spokesperson for Congress councillors Parminder Mehta said the last General House was held in February.

REPORTERS’ DIARY
Encroachments — A tough nut to crack
The Municipal Corporation, it seems, is finding it difficult to come to terms with the menace of temporary encroachments across the city. There will be hardly any residential or commercial area where streets, parts of the roads or green belts are not encroached upon by residents, shopkeepers or vendors. On paper, the civic body does take action to remove temporary encroachments, including push carts, ‘fahris’, merchandise and other material stacked on roads and streets. But the moment the MC staff departs, the encroachers reappear and the situation is back to square one. “The action taken by the MC against law breakers is apparently not enough and it has failed to deter the habitual offenders,” a city resident said.

REPORTERS’ DIARY
Road safety
Ludhiana: Desh Bhagat University organised a drive to make students aware of road safety. The drive was conducted by the NSS wing. Vice-Chancellor Dr Shalini Gupta said it was the duty of every citizen to follow traffic rules. University Chancellor Dr Zora Singh exhorted the students to observe the rules in order to save precious lives.

Sacred Heart celebrates 50 years
Ludhiana, November 16
The two-day golden jubilee celebrations of Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, got off to a colourful start here today. Children drawn from all classes held the audience in awe for around two hours through their outstanding performances that included songs, dances — both traditional and Western — and other cultural items.

New rule confounds students of PU, its affiliated colleges
Ludhiana, November 16
The implementation of the condition that mandates minimum 50 per cent marks in the first and second semesters for a student to appear in the third semester examinations in Panjab University, Chandigarh, and colleges affiliated to it has come as a surprise to the students.

Gurpurb celebrations continue in city schools
Ludhiana, November 16
Gurpurb celebrations continued at various schools in the city. To mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Nankana Sahib Public School, Gill Park, organised a shabad gayan competition. Children from all 11 branches of the school competed in the event with great zeal.

Students recite shabad as part of the Gurpurb celebrations at Guru Nanak Public School, Rose Garden, in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

GNN College celebrates Parkash Utsav
Doraha, November 16
The Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev was celebrated with fervour at Guru Nanak National College. Principal Narinder Singh Sidhu and director Jaswant Singh Gill welcomed all guests. After the bhog of Sahaj Path, students recited Gurbani in the form of kirtan.

Students prepare langar at GNN College in Doraha. A Tribune photograph

Four child labourers rescued
Ludhiana, November 16
Four child labourers were rescued from different parts of the city. Dinesh Kumar, representative, Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO, said, “The children were rescued from Akal Hosiery, Field Ganj, and a PG accommodation in the Greenfield area.” The children were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee after medical examination. The child task force visited eight factories today. The Anti-Child Labour Week concluded today. Dinesh Kumar said, “As many as 62 child labourers were rescued during the week.”

Health notes
One more diagnosed with dengue
Ludhiana: One more patient tested positive for dengue here on Sunday. A female aged 54 years from Nawanshahr has been admitted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. After this, the total figure of dengue cases has reached to 203 out of which 151 patients are from Ludhiana while 46 are from other districts and remaining are from other states such as Uttar Pradesh (one), Jammu and Kashmir (three), Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh (one each).

Campaign against drink and drive
Ludhiana, November 16
An organisation named Round Table India along with its Ludhiana team is organising a ‘Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign’ in association with the Punjab Police (Ludhiana). The idea was to create awareness among the city youth about the perils of drinking and driving.

An actor dressed as Yamraj opens the car door for Richa Agnihotri, ACP (Traffic), after a press conference in Ludhiana. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Punjabi poet remembered
Ludhiana, November 16
As it was the 28th death anniversary of Punjabi poet Sant Ram Udhasi, artistes weaved a poetic web around the audience at Open Air Theatre of Punjabi Bhawan. A plethora of events were organised by the Sant Ram Udhasi Likhari Sabha Ludhiana.

Parik makes Doraha proud
Doraha, November 16
Parik Sood of Guru Nanak National College has made the town proud by being adjudged Mr Panjab University during an inter-college best physique championship held in Chandigarh recently. Overall, the college, with 16 points in its kitty, grabbed the second spot at the meet. Parik also won the gold in weightlifting (85-90 kg). Other college students who brought laurels in weightlifting are Rakesh Kumar (gold in 65 kg category), Vicky Dutt (gold in 60 kg category), and Shiba Pandey (bronze in 52 kg category). The principal appreciated the students’ efforts and said if given a chance, they can work wonders. OC

Parik Sood of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, strikes a pose with two gold medals won at a best physique championship at Panjab University, Chandigarh. A Tribune photograph

Children display ‘abilities’
Ludhiana, November 16
The School for Deaf and Dumb Children celebrated its annual function and foundation day on its premises at Hambran Road. Ludhiana Educational Society president Sukhpat Rai Wadhera welcomed the chief guest – managing director Avinash Gupta. Gupta lighted the ceremonial lamp. It was followed by the recital of Saraswati Vandana. Later, the students, all in the age group of five to 18 years, presented various cultural items with enthusiasm. Their performances were appreciated by philanthropists, social workers and members of various NGOs attending the function. TNS

Children wait for their performance during the annual function at the School for Deaf and Dumb Children, Hambran Road, in Ludhiana. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Volunteers donate 120 units of blood
Ludhiana, November 16
The NSS wing of Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management organised a blood donation camp on the campus. A total of 120 units of blood were donated by the students and faculty members. Principal Dr RL Behl appreciated the efforts of the NSS team and applauded all the donors. TNS

CRIME

Three booked for abetment to suicide
Ludhiana, November 16
The police today booked three persons for abetment to suicide. A 60-year-old man had committed suicide at Durgapuri in the Haibowal area yesterday. The accused has been identified as Komal, daughter-in-law of the deceased, Raj Kumar, alias Baba and Chawala.