Gurdaspur Diary: DC cracks the whip on illegal oil tankers

The owners of petrol pumps who have their business establishments near the J&K border were elated when Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal made life easier for them by wielding the stick against illegal tankers selling fuel at much lower rates than prescribed by the oil companies. For the last several weeks, tankers from J&K would arrive surreptitiously in the city early in the morning and start selling petrol and diesel. People would often make a beeline for it as everybody wanted to purchase fuel at cheaper rates. The development was reducing the profit margins of local pump owners. These owners then approached Deputy Commissioner Uppal who in turn asked the Excise Department officials to raid such tankers and confiscate them. “The DC made the tanker owners run for their lives. Now these people have sworn that they will not enter the city till Uppal is the DC,” said a local pump owner. To add to their miseries, Uppal has been given the additional charge of Commissioner, Pathankot Municipal Corporation.

Young artists liven up painting competition

This painting competition did not produce many Picassos but it did produce many amateur artists. Every artist was once an amateur. Even Picasso, when he painted his first work, was an amateur. This was very much in evidence at the ‘National Level Painting Competition’ organised by the Gurdaspur District Child Welfare Council (GDCWC) under the guidance of the Punjab State Child Welfare Council. Hundreds of youths took part in the championship. They proved that no matter whether you win or lose, the most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing. Romesh Mahajan, honorary secretary of the GDCWC and one of the organisers, said, “Winning does not always mean you come first. There are times when you learn more by losing. And this is what I tell the children. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and learn.” The topics given to children to paint were interesting. These included: Saving wildlife; Cartoon characters you like the most; Painting a perfect birthday cake; Swachh Bharat; Drawing your dream travel destination; Your favourite book character; Life under water; Farmers working in the field, among others. The organisers also had special categories for children suffering from cerebral palsy, visual impairment, speech and hearing impaired, mentally challenged and multiple disabilities. This was indeed touching, to say the least, and was appreciated by many. For them, losing or winning did not matter at all. A sense of participation was all pervasive. For the record, the meet was inaugurated by Surinder Singh, ADC (G), while the prizes were distributed by Assistant Commissioner (General) Aaditya Gupta. (contributed By Ravi Dhaliwal)