R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
SEMINAR: The Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) organised a seminar at the N D Model Senior Secondary School here to educate the students against drug addiction. Mr Madan Lal Soni, a member of the Police Education Society, Sriganganagar, Mr Murari Lal Sharma, regional chairman of the BVP, and Principal Ramesh Kumar Jagga spoke on different aspects of increasing drug addiction. The students took a pledge not to use any kind of drug throughout their lives.

STUDENTS AID: The Royal Club distributed stationery and books to Durga Nice Charitable Public School in Eidgah Colony. A ceiling fan was also donated. Mr Tulsi Ram, president of the Municipal Council, appreciated the efforts of Mr Jagdish Juneja, a social activist, for the upliftment of such colonies. A teacher, Kashmiri Lal Grover, explained the problems that the school had been facing in the past in imparting education free of cost.

SYMPOSIUM: Flower Valley Public Senior Secondary School organised a colourful poetical symposium for primary classes here on Saturday. Ms Manjit Popli gave away the prizes to the winners.

CREMATED: Senior Congress worker and trader Sohan Lal Sethi of Nai Abadi was cremated at Shivpuri here on Saturday. He had died of cardiac arrest.

HOLY PROCESSION: The Gurmati Chetna March dedicated to Bhagat Pipaji and Dhannaji was received by Mr Sunil Jakhar, Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation and Horticulture, as it entered Punjab after covering areas in Rajasthan on its way to Amritsar. Mr Jakhar paid obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib placed inside a especially erected transparent van provided by the Golden Temple.

Barnala
MEETING: The parents-teachers meeting in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Air Force Station here on Saturday evoked an overwhelming response from the parents of students as more than 800 parents visited the school to interact with the teachers to have a feedback about the performance of their children. Mr. Charanjit Kumar Mittal, Principal of the school, said parents took keen interest in the academic career of their children. 

DORAHA
NAGAR KIRTAN: A nagar kirtan will be organised by Dashmesh Charitable Hospital at Doraha on August 31. According to Mr Inderjit Singh Kala, President of the Hospital, the Kirtan will begin from gurdwara Kalgi Dhar Sahib and will pass through main streets of Doraha, Lakkar Mandi and Guru Singh Sabha. A “dhadi darbar” will be organised on September 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Fazilka
MASS MARRIAGES: The district Municipal Council, Ferozepore police and social organisations solemnised mass marriages of 25 couples at a function in Jalalabad on Saturday. Mr Ashok Aneja, president of the council, said each newly wedded couple had been provided household articles comprising furniture, bicycle, clothes and other domestic articles worth Rs 15,000. The district Red Cross Society provided a sewing machine each to all brides.

Ferozepore
SEMINAR: Lions Club Ferozepore Greater organised a seminar on the 400th anniversary celebrations of Guru Granth Sahib. Dr Kamal Kant, president of the club, said a seminar was held to bring to light the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib and its importance in today’s era. Several girl students of Dev Samaj College participated in the seminar.

LUDHIANA
HEART CHECK UP: A heart checkup camp is being organised by Delhi-based Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre at Lifeline Hospital here on September 15 and 16 at which at least 400 patients are likely to be examined by a team of cardiologist. Diagnostic procedures like ECG and echo cardiography will be done free of cost. Medicines will also be given free of cost to needy patients. 

SBI LADIES CLUB: Four Godrej steel almirahs were donated to Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar Camp, here by the State Bank Ladies Club on Saturday. Ms Mohini Saran, president of the club, emphasised on better environment for students whom she described as the future of India. Ms Mridula Rani, principal of the school, expressed gratitude towards the club. Ms Abha Mohan, Ms Suraksha Lakhanpal, Ms Sarla Jain, Ms Rita Hans, Ms Manjit Kaur, Ms Nisha Bhalla, Ms Sushma Ahuja and Ms Sarita Arora were among those who attended the function.

de-addiction camp: The Lions Club, Ludhiana Greater, organised a drug de-addiction camp at Shimlapuri under the aegis of the Health Department on Saturday. Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the camp. Dr Parmjit Singh Khurana, Head of the Psychiatry Department, GTB Hospital, checked more than 180 patients. Medicines were given to the patients free of cost.

LIONS CLUB: The second general body meeting of the Lions Club, Ludhiana Decent, was held at a local hotel on Friday. Dr T.P. Singh, president of the club, discussed the forthcoming projects to be undertaken to make the city look green and clean. 

MEETING: The Women Wing of the Rashtriya Vikas Manch held a meeting under the leadership of Ms Alka Rani at Jamalpur here on Sunday. The members showed concern over the rise in crimes against women.

SKIN PRODUCTS: Seabuck Care, a subsidiary of the Compact International has launched its cosmetic products. Derived from seabuckthorn berries which contain 100 vital nutrients, eight vitamins, 24 minerals, 18 amino acids, betacarotene, unsaturated fatty acids and flavonoids.

CAMP CONCLUDES: A weeklong medical camp at Master Singh College concluded on Saturday. The camp was conducted with the assistance of Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana. The record of each student was maintained and dental and eye diseases and their remedies explained to them.

MANDI AHMEDGARH
MARCH: Various Sikh organisations of the town and surrounding villages accorded a warm reception to the chetna march led by Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula. The march had been flagged off from Nanded Sahib to commemorate 400 year celebrations of foundation year of Guru Granth Sahib. Mr Jagwant Singh Jaggie, councillor, said that sangat from the local town and surrounding villages Jandali, Baurhai, Kanganwal, Akbar Pur Channa, Mannabad and Rohira offered fruits, sweets and sweetened water to around 10.000 devotees accompanying the march. Office-bearers of the Sukhmani Sewa Society, Kalgidhar Federation, Baba Budha Gurmat Parchar Trust, Mata Ganga Istri Jagran Manch, Gurdwara Bahadur garh, Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Shaheed Ganj Ghallughara Trust Rohira, SAD and Youth Shiromani Akali Dal were present.

SEMINAR: A seminar on Rural Development Through Education, was organised by the District Education Department Fatehgarh Sahib at Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences here on Friday. Nearly 125 heads of High and Senior Secondary Schools from Government and Private School participated. Chief Guest S.K. Ahluwalia Deputy Commissioner Fatehgarh Sahib, emphasised on Education in villages.

Phagwara
NEEM GOOD FOR TEETH: A noted prosthodontist from Mumbai, Dr Zerxis R.Umrigar, who had come here to deliver his keynote address on complete denture at the inauguration of the Phagwara branch of the Indian Dental Association, said on Saturday that neem and the modern tooth brush still made a fine blend of traditional and sophisticated oral hygiene. He said there was a strong connection between the two as neem had fluoride which was required for teeth.

Pathankot
LOK ADALATS: Three Lok Adalats were organised in the court complex here on Saturday, which were presided over by Mr R.K. Garg, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division), Ms Kiran Bala and Mr. Ranjit Singh, both Civil Judges, (Junior Division). As many as 48 cases relating to loan, matrimony and others were taken up, out of which 29 were decided by the parties. The adalats awarded a sum of Rs 10,57,064 with mutual consent to the litigants.

SAMRALA
MISHAP: Professor Ham-dardveer Nausheharvi Samrala, a renowned Punjabi writer had a narrow escape here on Friday his bicycle was hit by a scooterist. He was taken to a private doctor and he is reported to be in good health.

Condolence meeting: A condolence meeting was held at Press Club Samrala on Friday in the local Civil Rest House under the chairmanship of Mr Ram Gopal Sofat, to mourn the death of Rajinder Bhardwaj, brother of journalist Ashwani Bhardwaj.

CHANDIGARH

INVITED: The Asia Pacific Regional Organisation of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has invited Mr A.D. Nagpal, Secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, to a three-day seminar in Manila beginning September 1. According a press note, representatives from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the International Labour Organisation will participate in the seminar to be held on "International financial institutions and core labour standards".

Panchkula
DISTRIBUTED: Members of the Inner Wheel Clubs of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali along with members of Dhyan Meditation distributed ration, utensils, bed covers and clothes among children of Rajiv Colony here on Saturday. The club Panchkula president, Ms Urmil Luther, and the zonal president, Ms Veena Monga, said they had collected Rs 70,000 and distributed goods among 70 families.

CAMP: The local unit of the Family Planning Association of India with the Chandigarh AIDS Control Society organised an HIV awareness camp at Mauli Jagran colony on Saturday. A magic show by Suresh Kumar was organised and booklets, handbills and contraceptives were distributed.

PLANTATION: Delhi Public School, Pinjore, organised vanamahotsava by planting 30 saplings in the school. Mr B.S. Sandhu, Inspector-General, Haryana Police, was the chief guest. Students recited poems on the benefits of green environment and a skit “Plant or Perish” was staged.

Zirakpur
THEFT: Goods worth lakhs of rupees were stolen from a godown at Bhabhat village on Saturday night. In a complaint to the police, Mr Jaspreet Singh, an agent of the company, said thieves took away torches, batteries, dry cells, toothpastes and other items. The police has registered a case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC.

HARYANA

Ambala
CONTEST: A rakhi making competition was held at DAV Public School, Model Town, Ambala city, on Saturday. The Principal, Ms Meenakshi Dogra, said the children showed their creativity by making beautiful rakhis. The winners were selected from each class.

CAMPAIGN: The BJP Haryana unit started a signature campaign at Saha over the SYL issue on Saturday. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha state vice-president, Mr Satish Mehta, said the SYL canal is the lifeline for the people of Haryana. He condemned the Punjab Government for not completing the canal. Mr Mehta said the decision taken by the Amarinder government had posed a threat to the federal structure of the country.

Hisar
ALLEGED: Mr Jaivir Godara, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), alleged that Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala and his son, Mr Abhey, were trying to implicate him in false cases. Mr Godara said in an incident of burning of a Punjab bus in the city, Mr Chautala had asked the Superintendent of Police to register a case against him.

ORGANISED: Punjab National Bank (PNB) organised a kisan mela here on Sunday. Farmers from Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad and Bhiwani districts were given kisan credit cards. The General Manager (North Zone) of the bank, Mr B.P. Chopra, was the chief guest and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Balbir Singh Malik, was the guest of honour. The senior regional manager of the bank, Mr M.K. Rastogi, said the bank had started a self-employment credit card scheme, under which the youths could set up dairies, poultry farms and other cottage industrial units.

Sonepat
RECOVERED: The Sadar police claims to have recovered Poonam (25) who was allegedly abducted by Rajesh of Kheri Dahiya Village, on March 8 last year. The police has also arrested the alleged abductor.

SHOT DEAD: Jaiswal wife of Jai Bhagwan, a singer of Gian Nagar, Sonepat, was shot dead on the Kharkhauda-Sampla road, about 25 km from here on Saturday. The police has registered a case.

Fatehabad
LOK ADALAT: The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HSLSA) organised a Lok Adalat in the local judicial courts on Saturday. Mr J.R. Duggal, Chief Judicial Magistrate and secretary of the district unit of the HSLSA, said a total of 217 cases were settled during the adalat. He exhorted litigants to settle their cases through Lok Adalats as these courts provided speedy justice to them at lesser cost.

Hisar
SUSPENDED: Mr Ram Narain, a lab technician in the pharmacy department of Guru Jambheshwar University here, was suspended on Saturday on the charge of manhandling Dr A.S. Dhake, chairman of the department. The university teachers association had demanded the suspension of the employee.

ALLEGED: Mr Ompal Singh, general secretary of the Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, has alleged that Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala was increasing unemployment. He said the latest example was the scrapping of 1,800 posts in the Health Department.

WORKSHOP: A workshop on seed quality organised by the Seed Science Department of Haryana Agricultural University concluded on Saturday. Eighteen scientists from 10 states and the Union Territory of Pondicherry participated in the workshop.

Sonepat
REINSTATED: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Vidya Dhar, has reinstated the Sarpanch of Manoli Tonki village, Mr Satpal Chauhan. According to a report, the Sarpanch was placed under suspension for allegedly demanding bribe for the allotment of newly-built houses under the Indira Vikas Yojna, but no such charges were proved in the inquiry ordered by the Commissioner.

OPEN DARBAR: Deputy Commissioner Vidya Dhar redressed the grievances of the people at an open darbar held at Panchayat Bhavan here on Saturday. According to a report, Mr Dhar received as many as 42 complaints and all were disposed of in the darbar.

INJURED: A youth, Ravinder, and his sister, Babita, were injured when their motor cycle was hit by a Canter on the G.T. Road near Bahalgarh Chowk, about 10 km from here, on Sunday

DEAD: Seema, an 18-year-old student, died in the community health centre at Gohana, 35 km from here, on Sunday. She belonged to Bhander village. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chamba
DEMANDED: The state unit of the All-India Sri Sanatan Dhama Math-Mandir Suraksha Samiti has demanded to impose a complete ban on animal sacrifice during the Manimahesh pilgrimage commencing on September 7. The state president of the samiti, Mahant Swami Virendrananda Giri said it was a superstition to slaughter sheep and goats during the pilgrimage and should be banned.

Hamirpur
DIRECTED: Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar directed the revenue officers of the district to take immediate steps for removing the encroachments on government land. Addressing a meeting here on Saturday, he said there were many revenue cases pending in various courts and such cases should be disposed off at the earliest. He also said the district administration was all set for the computerisation of revenue records in the district.

Kulu
WITHDRAWN: The high-tech Volvo bus service on Manali-Delhi and Dharamsala-Delhi route has been withdrawn by the HRTC. The Regional Manager, HRTC said the service on Manali-Delhi route had been suspended due to the low traffic and economic considerations. The decision has been considered as another blow tourism sector in the state after imposing of green tax and the withdrawal of the Indian Airlines flights to Kulu. The president of the Travel Agents Association said HRTC was a service oriented corporation and should stress more on the service than profits.

RED CROSS FAIR: Ms Pratibha Singh, MP and chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Red Cross Society inaugurated a two-day long Red Cross fair at Dhalpur on Saturday. While addressing a public meeting, she said the district Red Cross Society had distributed Rs 11.42 lakh in 2003-04 as relief to the needy in the district While Rs 1.44 lakh had been given distributed in the rest of the state. Mr Satya Prakash Thakur, chairman, HP State Marketing Board said the fair was not only a source of collecting funds but also a way to generate feeling of humanity among the masses.

Nahan
REVISION: Subdivisional Magistrate Manmohan Sharma said brief revision of electoral rolls would be conducted in the Nahan subdivision from September 15 to October 15. He has called a meeting of the representatives of all political parties for ensuring maximum participation during the revision process. 

Palampur
ARRESTED: The police has arrested four persons, including a junior engineer of the Irrigation and Public Health Department, for their alleged involvement in the sale of government cement to private parties. Mr G. D. Bhargav, Superintendent of Police, said the police had arrested junior engineer S. S. Thakur after it recovered the cement from a house near Dhanotu Sahapur, adding the police had earlier arrested Chaman Lal, Parkash Chand and Khurudi Ram, all employees of the IPH Department.

LOOT ATTEMPT FOILED: An attempt was made to loot a wine shop here on Saturday. However, the alert salesman of the shop saved the cash lying inside the shop. According to the police, three persons came to the shop and asked the salesman, Kamal Kumar, to hand over the cash to them. On his refusal, one of the assailants opened fire at him. Meanwhile, other employees and nearby residents reached the spot but the assailants escaped. The injured salesman has been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. A case has been registered.