Amritsar, November 19
The new mother and child care centre, all set to be inaugurated on November 24, is likely to meet the same fate as that of the trauma unit and diagnostic centre, due to the shortage of staff.

The government has not cared to appoint new staff and has plans to manage the centre with the already existing staff at the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital.

The 50-bed centre has got only five specialists in its gynaecology unit out of which three, including a radiologist, have already submitted their resignations.

The three specialists are serving their notice period and are expected to be relieved by December 31.

In the paediatric unit, the centre has only one full time paediatrician. The department has arranged another paediatrician for three days in a week.

The department has not cared to appoint any house surgeons, which are required to run medical services effectively, during the night.

The centre doesn’t have a counsellor. Staff nurses and other paramedical staff required for the centre would be used from the existing staff at the Civil Hospital.

Even as the centre’s building has been complete and the Health Minister is coming to inaugurate it officially, the centre does not have basic facilities such as a ventilator.

The ventilators already available with the Civil Hospital are dysfunctional because these have not been used for years.

The government had earlier constructed the trauma unit at the Hospital but to date, it has not got the sanctioned staff. The Civil Hospital staff are being deputed at the centre to run the services.

The building of the proposed diagnostic centre is also ready but there is no one available to run the centre.

A doctor said, “The construction of new buildings will not bring about any change in medical services. The change will come if there is enough staff to manage the services. But the government seems to be shying away from appointing new people.”

The officials at the hospital had earlier stated that they had demanded more staff for the centre.

Amritsar, November 19
Even as the state government had declared a holiday in government schools today, students were seen standing outside many schools as they had no information about it.

The students of many schools were saved from the trouble as their school teachers had shown ingenuity and arranged for public announcements about the holiday with the help of public address systems.

The government had announced a holiday at government schools after the state won the overall championship trophy in national school games that concluded yesterday.

As there is no mechanism available to pass on the information to those concerned, students went to their schools as usual.

However, as the schools were locked and at places there was nobody to inform them about the holiday, they were seen waiting outside school gates.

A teacher said, “Teachers called up each other and informed about the holiday but that is not possible in case of students. While most of the teachers were saved from the trouble, students had to face inconvenience.”

In a few localities, the teachers had called up the priests of temples and gurdwaras in the localities where their respective schools are situated. But as all localities don’t have public address systems, the procedure was followed only in a few areas.

Officials at the Education Department said in such cases when a holiday is declared abruptly, the students and teachers have to face problems.

“Even as messages on social networking sites have started circulating, these are not a reliable source of information. There was uncertainty till the people got to see report about it in the newspapers today,” said another teacher.

A few of the teachers even criticised the announcement of a holiday after winning a sports event.

As per the guidelines issued under the Right to Education, the schools have to conduct at least 232 working days. The government had initiated a number of steps to ensure maximum number of working days, including a cut on restricted holidays.

Not more 20 per cent staff of a particular school can proceed on a half-day leave.

District Education Officer (Secondary) Satinderbir Singh admitted that there is no system available to convey the message to all the students. He said even the teachers get to know about the holiday from newspapers.

Amritsar, November 19
The police have busted a gang of robbers who used to rob mobile phones and purses and also sell narcotics to people. They were nabbed at a secluded place near the 66 KV power house on Sultanwind Road.

Those arrested have been identified as Bhupinder Singh alias Bhinda, Harwinder Singh, both sons of Mangal Singh, a resident of New SUS Nagar, Bhupinder Singh alias Bittu, son of Hardeep Singh, a resident of SUS Nagar, Suba Singh son of Bhola Singh, a resident of B/S Lal Quarter inside Gilwalingate and Shamsher Singh alias Shera, son of Harbans Singh, a resident of New Gurnam Nagar, Amritsar.

The police have recovered 20 mobile phones, which they had stolen from people and around 20 gm of heroin from their possession.

Harjit Singh Brar (PPS), ADCP (Special), Amritsar, said the accused were habitual drug addicts and they also used to sell narcotics.

“They made a gang and used to snatch purses, mobile phones, chain sets and pick pocket at public places like the Golden Temple, Gurdawara Shaheeda Sahib and Wagha Border during the Retreat Ceremony. They have admitted to have committed at least 25 crimes of snatching, theft and also selling drugs. Further investigation is on after taking the remand of the aforesaid accused,” he said.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of inspector Arwinder Singh, in-charge, special staff, including ASI Vinod Kumar and ASI Kulwinderjit Singh, supported by a police party.

A case under Sections 382, 379 and 411 of the Indian Penal Code and 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Sultanwind police station.

“They were arrested with the help of secret information from Sultanwind Road. They were distributing the stolen items among themselves, which they intended to sell later on. We raided the spot and arrested them,” said Arwinder Singh.

Amritsar, November 19
The non-teaching staff at BBK DAV College for Women held a protest against the state government under the banner of Private Colleges Non-teaching Employees Union here today.

Kishore Kumar, president of the local unit, said they had earlier held a meeting with the Chief Minister to support their demanding of issuing of notification of the revised grade pay and arrears.

He said the arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission were required to be released before July 30, but they had not received the money till date, adding that the notification about the increased grade pay of November 1, 2012 had also not been issued.

“Employees also demand pension and gratuity scheme, besides issuing of the notification regarding the increased house rent allowance and medical allowance,” said Kumar.

Amritsar, November 19
Dumping of garbage has become a bone of contention for the Municipal Corporation authorities here.

Officials of the MC have conveyed to the government about the alarming situation at Bhagtanwala dump yard and the protests by the people living in the localities around the site.

With no concrete alternative to the Bhagtanwala dump yard in sight, some sites have been identified to dump the city garbage. Besides, the MC has also urged the district administration to provide them more land on the city’s outskirts, which could be utilised as dumpyard, as the designated sites are not be enough to hold the garbage.

The city generates around 600 tonnes of refuse daily, which is being dumped at the Bhagtanwala site. For the past 17 days the residents have been protesting against the dumping of the garbage at Bhagtanwala.

Meanwhile, officials of the MC have zeroed in on four sites — four acre at Fatahapur, eight acre at Guru Ki Wadali, three acre at Barahriwal and a site at Chabbal Road.

The MC is reportedly planning to build a boundary wall around these new locations. MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal said it was a stopgap arrangement, which too could work for a shorter period of time. He assured that every decision had been taken after taking the residents of these localities into confidence.

“We have spoken to the residents living in these localities. After receiving their feedback, it was decided that boundary wall of at these plots will be raised before making their use as dumpyard. Prior to it, we will also be procuring the no objection certificate from the Punjab Pollution Control Board.” he said.

The residents had been assured that only the garbage generated from their localities would be dumped at these newly located sites. It was a temporary arrangement, added the MC Commissioner. “Nonetheless, we have sounded the government about the whole scenario and have urged to take final decision in case of Bhagtanwala dumpyard finally,” he added.

Amritsar, November 19
While batting for more liberty and freedom for girls, former DGP and first women IPS officer of India, Kiran Bedi, exhorted one and all over women safety. She said it was the collective responsibility of society. Addressing students and faculty of Khalsa College for Women the top cop said there was a need to change the mindset of the people and the administration. “Only then can we ensure that women are safe in India,” she added.

“No society can progress unless it respects its women. The alarming rise in crime against women in every state has prompted families and educational institutions to sensitise people,” said Kiran. Propagating good education as a possible solution to inculcate values in youngsters, she said, “Everyone needs to look at the problem with concern.”

Kiran, who has been a close observant and participant in changing country’s political climate, who has been a strong exponent of the Aam Adami Party earlier, praised four-month-old Narendra Modi government. “No doubt there is some change and the government seems to be working, which is better than the earlier government’s non-existent attitude,” she added. Commenting on Delhi’s elections, she said she had no wish to contest elections so far and would vote for a party, which would ensure a stable government and work in close coordination with the Centre.

Kiran Bedi started her professional life as a lecturer of political science at Khalsa College for Women before joining the police force. She expressed her desire to come back and teach, if invited. “I will love to come again as a teacher in the institution. I want to teach you political science and international relations,’’ said Kiran while receiving a huge applause from students.

Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, Principal, Khalsa College for Women, said Bedi’s book was an inspirational and motivational description through pictures of her life. “She (Bedi) is the face of woman emancipation,’’ said Dr Mahal.

Later, at another function held at SR Government College for Women, she motivated students to be self-reliant and fight corruption in society. Kiran also urged them to become a responsible citizen of the country.

Amritsar, November 19
Yuva Lok Rang Utsav, a four-day folk festival organised by the Virsa Vihar Society, will commence the winter session of cultural activities in the city. The festival will be held at Virsa Vihar, where traditional folk artists will perform live for the audience.

The four-day festival will conclude on November 24 and it will be an all-day event.

The artists will bring together various folk flavours of Punjab with traditional dance forms such as sammi, bhangra, giddha and traditional musical instruments such as tumbi, folk songs such as vaar for audiences.

The day-long activities include stage plays and painting workshops by members of the Indian Academy of Fine Arts.

The artists performing at the festival include Sufi singers Lopoke brothers, folk artist Lachi Bawa and folk dance performances by students of Khalsa College and Guru Nanak Dev University.

Punjabi play ‘Laun Di Guddi’, directed by Pavail Sandhu will be staged as well. “The groups participating in the festival are mostly local as we want to encourage young local talent. We have deliberately focused on Punjabi traditional folk art forms as the festival is all about connecting youth to Punjabiyat,” informed Kewal Dhaliwal, noted theatre personality and president, Virsa Vihar Society.

Amritsar, November 19
It seems that the state government has installed a bio-resonance therapy machine worth around Rs 55 lakh, especially for de-addiction of cigarette smokers or other tobacco product consumers at Swami Vivekananda De-addiction Centre here without consulting any research done in foreign countries.

The research claims that this therapy can never be relied upon. The reason cited is that it lacks any scientific basis and is a pseudoscientific medical concept in which electromagnetic waves are used to diagnose and treat human illness.

Ironically, Dr PD Garg, Professor and head of the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, under whose jurisdiction this de-addiction centre is being run, also disapproved this mode of treatment and he was never in favour of installing the machine.

“It is not directly in my sphere of expertise as this technique is based on a principle of physics. I had resisted it when the proposal to install the machine had come to me through the management of Government Medical College. Later, I gave up because being a psychiatrist, I had no basis to repudiate it,” he said.

The machine, popularly known as Quit Smoking Machine, was installed in 2011. The manufacturing firm claimed that this therapy stimulates a change of ‘bio resonance’ in the cells and reverses the change caused by the diseases.

Working with the body’s own electrical signals, the firm claimed that it also eliminates craving for nicotine, thus helping in quitting cigarettes and smokeless tobacco such as gutka, pan masala and zarda, besides being useful in curing certain allergies.

It is hard to believe this kind of treatment as no medicine is administered while curing the patient. Officials at the centre though claimed that to date, around 80 patients had undergone the bio-resonance treatment and had quit tobacco after attending the three sittings of 40 minutes each. Yet, they have no medical evidence to prove it.

About its success rate, Dr Garg said all claims were made by the manufacturing firm but he saw no scientific outcome which could prove it.

“It is equally true that patients who had undergone bio-resonance treatment had given us feedback that they felt better. So, presumably, it worked, I suppose. Moreover, the scientific research, especially the website fed information, could also not be relied upon fully. Being doctors, we prescribe certain medicines to our patients, which otherwise are considered allergic by certain medicine websites. But, we have to diagnose the patient practically and have to prescribe those medicines. Doctors cannot practice merely on the basis of computerised knowledge. It too could be incorrect or half researched,” he said.

He recommended consulting a physics expert too before coming to any conclusion.

Head of the Physics Department, GNDU, Ravi Chand Singh, said, “Even as the magnetic waves result in energy deposits when passed through the body, it could not be said in a scientific way that could prove its biological after-effects. It could only be a claim or a belief,” he said.

Amritsar, November 19
The Border Security Force (BSF) organised a weapons exhibition at its sector headquarters in Khasa today. The event held to commemorate the NCC Day.

As many as 600 NCC cadets of Air Force, Navy and Army wings witnessed the exhibition.

BSF DIG MF Farooqui inaugurated the show. JK Birdi, Commandant, 154 Battalion, Ranbir Singh Dogra and Col VD Chand were also present on the occasion.

Amritsar, November 19
Guru Nanak Dev University(GNDU) will celebrate its 45th Foundation Day on November 24 on the university campus.

Prof SK Joshi, former director general, CSIR, Prof SP Gautam, former Vice-Chancellor, MJP, Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, and professor, Centre for Philosophy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, SB Singh IG (Hqrs), Central Industrial Security Force, will deliver lectures at Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium on the occasion .

Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ajaib Singh Brar, would preside over the event.

Dr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Registrar, said books, rare books, manuscripts and rare photographs of Punjab through the ages from Indus Valley Civilisation would by showcased by Bhai Gurdas Library. A painting contest and folklore, would also be organised at various venues during the event.

The celebrations will commence with the bhog of Sri Akhand Path at University Gurdwara followed by shabad kirtan by Bhai Jagdeep Singh, hazoori ragi, Sri Darbar Sahib. “Guru-ka-langar” would be served at the Senate Hall.

Amritsar, November 19
ECO Amritsar, an NGO, working for the preservation of environment has come up with a novel idea of ‘Eco-Bin’, which involves converting vegetable waste into manure for use in the household.

The brain behind the idea, NGO’s chairman Gunbir Singh, said, “More than 80 per cent of the waste generated at any home is generally of vegetables and other food.”

“ Other 20 per cent items in waste include plastic, glass, paper and metals. These wastes are sold to raddi walas. If we can find a way to use our vegetable waste, we can easily check the problem of garbage heaps on roads,” added Gunbir.

After understanding the concept, he built a workable model at home and was using it for the past nine months. An upgraded version of the model has been developed by ThrivEarth.

Explaining the working of the Eco Bin, Gunbir said, “It is basically a large bin with a tap at the bottom. There is a plastic membrane inside the bin, over which a used newspaper is spread. Bacteria are added to the bin to help turn the waste into compost and is filled with waste and sealed.”

He said, “A liquid can be taken out from the bin while opening the tap after every four days, which can be used to provide nutrients to plants and vegetables. The solid left after the entire liquid is used is air-sealed for a few days. It is converted into manure once again.”

Sharing his experience, Gunbir said, “We have been using it for a long time now and not thrown even a single kg waste outside. The fun part is that our houseplants are healthy, grass stays perennially green, and in fact, we even have set up a standing bed on our terrace where we grow vegetables which are natural, and with no chemical toxins.”

Gunbir said his idea of the “Swacchh Bharat” was to start the campaign from his home adding that Eco Bin, apart from solving the problem of disposal of garbage, also helped in pest control. As the bin was airtight there was no food left for pests and insects, he added.