Ludhiana, August 13
The proposal of the tourism department, Punjab, to set up a water sports park on the National Highway No. 1 alongside the Sutlej near Ludhiana by acquiring several acres has made hundreds of families of farmers see red who have decided to protest the move tooth and nail.

The department is learnt to have chalked out a plan to attract tourists by setting up a water sports park by acquiring private agricultural land and forest land falling in the Bet area.

The revenue department has already surveyed the entire 10 km stretch around the river that will be developed as a centre of tourist attraction.

Sources in the revenue department said they were verbally told to survey a 5 km area upstream and 5 km downstream the Sutlej and find out whether the land belonged to the forest department or had private ownership. The park was being proposed to be 1 km wide each on the Ludhiana side and the Phillaur side.

Hundreds of farmers belonging to Kasabad, Talwandi, Kutbewal, Kadian, Laddowal, Goindwal, Bonker Dogran, Majara Khurd and Majara Kalan staged a dharna outside the deputy commissioner’s office and handed a memorandum to be given to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Charan Dass, sarpanch of Talwandi village, said besides these villages, Alowal, Bholewal, Shaule, Ganna, Bholewal Jadeed and Gaur Sianh would would also be affected.

He added that they did not know about the proposal until patwaris started taking account of revenue records. “We will not allow them to acquire our land for the project.”

“They want to uproot us for setting up a water park. Is it justified? And the clandestine way they are going about it shows their intentions,” said Jarnail SIngh, a former sarpanch of Motipur Khalsa.

Charan Dass said a majority of the farmers were refugees who had taken shelter alongside the Sutlej after Partition. “We have worked for six decades to make this land fertile.

Forests had to be cleared and nullahs levelled on this land. We survived many snakebites and when the land has become fertile, they are trying to throw us out. Hundreds of families will be hit it they go ahead with the proposal,” he said.

Ludhiana, August 13
The much talked about Ludhiana Ring Road project may get delayed after the state government decided to redraw its contours and cancel the expression of interest invited in June 2006.

This has been done following objections raised by the defence authorities, since it will run close to the Field Ammunition Depot, Badhowal, along Ferozepur Road.

The Sahnewal airport authorities had also objected to the earlier plan as the road on that side (Delhi-Ludhiana highway) will be quite close to the runway. Besides, the government has plans of expansion of the airport and the road, according to its current contours, will either come within the airport or will be too close to it.

The government has also decided to hand over the project to the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) from the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board.

The expression of interest invited for the project in June 2006 has been cancelled. Fifteen companies had expressed their interest in the project to be constructed on the BOT (Built Operate and Transfer) basis.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting in Chandigarh before the MC elections. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is the 

ex officio chairman of GLADA. The government, through GLADA, has already invited feedback regarding the proposed road, called the Access Controlled Ring Road System, that is expected to provide relief from traffic congestion in the city.

The Chief Minister is learnt to be taking keen interest in the early execution of the project. He is learnt to be personally monitoring the progress of the project. Since the airport and defence authorities (in Sahnewal and Badhowal, respectively) had raised objections to the passage of the road close to their sites, the government had no option but to change the plan which caused the delay.

Now, the government wants to draw up a “long-term concrete and comprehensive project” that will provide access to all areas of the city.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have asked officials to draw up a time-bound plan and ensure that it is completed within the deadline. 

Ludhiana, August 13
“Herbs and Health”, the compilation of 55 select articles of Dr R. Vatsyayan, was released by Dr L.S. Chawla, founder vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, here last evening. The articles, included in the book, had been chosen from his writings carried on the Health and Fitness page of The Tribune. Syed Nooruzzaman, assistant editor, The Tribune, presided over the function.

Spelling out the content of the book, Dr Chawla said he had found it not only interesting but also informative. It contains details about the herbs of everyday use. He said the remarkable thing about the book was that it provided elaborate description of the herbs in most simple and lucid manner.

Dr Chawla further observed, “This book will go a great deal in helping the people to regulate their food habits. The herbs mentioned in the book are commonly found and are mostly used in every household in the region.” He was of the opinion that Dr Vatsyayan had simplified the application of ayurveda for the common masses.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, Dr S.K. Sharma, adviser ayurveda to union ministry of health and family welfare, said the book would certainly help in dispelling various myths about ayurveda as everything had been explained in a scientific and rational manner.

About the government policies, he stated that the annual budget for the research and development of ayurveda had been enhanced to Rs 500 crore annually. He disclosed that a super specialised ayurveda institute on the pattern of AIIMS was being set up in Delhi with an initial investment of Rs 110 crore. This institute would only produce postgraduates and doctorates in ayurveda.

A website on ayurveda, www.sanjivaniayurveda.com was also launched on the occasion.

Ludhiana, August 13
More than 150 boys and girls took part in a run against drug addiction under the banner of the Prime Bodies Health Club from Shastri Nagar to the Pakhowal Road here on Sunday. The purpose of the event was to wean the youth away from drugs and other intoxicating substances, and instead motivate them to take onto health and fitness.

Nishchay Sachdeva, director of the health club, led the runners and motivated them to mobilise more and more young persons for creating a drug-free society. He quoted several examples of those who had said good bye to drugs and had risen to new heights in their respective careers.

Sachdeva, who had trained several Bollywood film stars in Mumbai, besides having acted in a Hindi movie, emphasised that fitness and good health were key to success during life.

The run was flagged off by Gurbir Kahlon, director, Wild Shot, and refreshments were served to the participants in the race by Browmark Chicken.

Ludhiana, August 13
Frontier technologies like bio-technology, information and communication technology and renewable energy technologies can provide exceptional opportunities for launching an evergreen revolution capable of improving productivity in perpetuity without ecological impairment. The research strategy must be pro-nature and pro-small farmer.

This was stated here today by the PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr M.S Kang, while inaugurating a two-day state level Research and Extension Specialists' Workshop for rabi crops on the university campus. A number of experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Department of Agriculture, District Extension Specialists and research scientists are attending this workshop.

The Vice-Chancellor said, the agricultural growth in the state has decelerated during the last decade which is leading to a decline in real per capita income of the farmers. The average farm size has continued to shrink each year and the cost-return structure of farming is becoming unfavourable leading to greater indebtedness among farmers. "The PAU and the state development departments have now a different role to play", emphasised Dr Kang.

Dr Nirankar Singh, Joint Director of Agriculture, Punjab, while giving details of the production targets of the rabi crops in the state emphasised on popularising soil testing so that proper dose of fertiliser should be applied. He assured that the government has made all arrangements to provide fertilisers for the ensuing rabi crops.

Dr N.S Malhi, Director of Extension Education, who is also holding the charge of Director of Research, PAU, stated that under the changing agricultural scenario crop improvement research has been re-prioritised towards breeding of stress tolerant, early maturity and quality production. He highlighted various production and protection technologies recommended by the university. Dr Malhi expressed concern over the exploitation of natural resources, soil health, climate change, global warming and loss of bio-diversity.

Earlier the Vice-Chancellor and officers of the university as well as Department of Agriculture, Punjab, took a round of the exhibition depicting research accomplishments of the university. During the two days of the workshop the experts will discuss practices for wheat, barley, pulses, oilseeds, winter maize etc. There will also be sessions on improved agricultural implements, economics of rabi crops etc.

Ludhiana, August 13
Noted Punjabi sufi singer Hans Raj Hans has appealed the people of Punjab to vote for their daughter from Ludhiana, Arshpreet Kaur in Amul-Voice of India contest, which is being telecast at Star Plus every Friday and Saturday. The singer had come to Ramgarhia Girls College today urging people to vote for the budding artist.

Sharing his views with Ludhiana Tribune, Hans Raj Hans said people from other states had no inhibitions while voting for their candidates but people of Punjab seem to be little reluctant. "She is a very good singer. But now her fate depends on the public," insisted the sufi maestro.

On the status of sufi singing, Hans Raj said like everyone does not has knowledge of real diamond and cannot afford it. "Similarly sufi singing is like a diamond, people who know singing in depth, had all the regard for the style of singing. Only particular segment of people know the value of sufi singing," he added.

On a serious note he asked the youth to keep distance from any kind of addiction. "Hook on to music, if you want to be really addicted. You will enjoy every moment of it," he suggested a remedy.

Talking of singing Hans Raj disclosed that he was influenced by a singer Lal Chand Yamla Jatt of Ludhiana. “I spent all my money to find him, stayed away from home for more than 12 years. My family was annoyed with this decision but they accepted me at last when reached home with one of my records. In fact my guru Puran Shah Ji Koti taught me music thoroughly," added the singer.

Ludhiana August 13
Thanks to the unplanned mushrooming of malls in the posh Sarabha Nagar and surrounding areas, the locality is fast losing its sheen and charm. The once smooth ride along the Malhar Road is no longer so, rather it now turns out to be too nightmarish. At times the less than one-km-long stretch of road, takes 15 to 20 minutes to cross. Same is the case with Malhar Road, Rani Jhansi Road and the Cemetry Road, which were once considered to be wide.

First it was the Ansal Plaza that opened up a couple of years ago on the Ferozepur Road, in front of the Circuit House. With no or very limited parking space available inside the plaza, people visiting there park their vehicles on the roads only. This leads to regular and frequent traffic jams, particularly during the peak hours.

This was followed by the opening of the Khushi Ram's multi-storeyed sweet shop and restaurant. This put further pressure on the road as this also happens to be a much frequented place.

As if this was not enough, the opening up of the Flamez Mall on the Malhar Road has further complicated the problem. It has a four-screen multiplex that always remains full, at least for the time being. The parking space, as is the case with all such malls, is too limited to accommodate such a huge rush. With the result the vehicles get parked along the roads thus making the passage of vehicles too difficult.

The stretch along the Malhar Road, however, used to remain congested because of vehicles parked outside the Basant food joint. Now it is practically impossible to drive through this particular stretch and vehicles remain stranded for quite a long time.

Residents of the area too are a unhappy lot as once the roads are full with parking, people start parking their vehicles in the residential areas in the adjoining Gurdev Nagar and Sarabha Nagar. They said, they had never imagined that their localities would get so congested.

People who have been driving along the Malhar Road for years too feel disappointed. "You would feel relieved while driving along this (Malhar) road, but now it is a nightmare", said Vijender Gupta, a lawyer who lives in Model Town. He expressed surprise over how such huge malls had been allowed to come up in purely residential areas as these will create havoc for the residents.

This is happening along all roads which were considered to be wide and open earlier. Even the Mall Road gets blocked at times especially in front of Ebony and Elite Arcade.

Ludhiana, August 13
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, Shamsher Singh Dullo, had to face angry candidates who lost the recently held elections to the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. Dullo had called a review meeting of the party here yesterday. He had asked all the aggrieved candidates to give their complaints in writing.

Party sources disclosed that he had to face a lot of questions about his silence toward the rebels. He was accused of failure to curb the activities of rebels by allotting them tickets despite strong opposition from different quarters. Some people even pointed out at the meeting that those who had worked against the party in the Assembly elections were given tickets, while loyal workers were left out.

Dullo refused to comment on the developments and said he had sought views and complaints in writing from those who felt that they suffered at the hands of the party workers or leaders only. He said once truth was established adequate action would be taken. He made it clear that mere allegations against leaders and workers were not enough to act against them. The charges had to be proved with sufficient evidence, he remarked. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 13
Five persons, including three pedestrians, were injured when a truck driver lost control over his vehicle and hit the three-wheeler and crashed it against another truck carrying Naina Devi pilgrims at Kup Da Tota, near here, last evening. The injured were immediately shifted to hospitals by the police and passersby. One of the injured pedestrians was shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh.

According to an FIR registered against Sukhraj Singh of Bishan Nagar, Patiala, under sections 279, 337 and 427 of the IPC, the truck he was driving had allegedly hit a three-wheeler (PB 10 BU 5071) and crashed it against another truck coming from the opposite direction. The three-wheeler got sandwiched between the two trucks. The truck ran over three pedestrians also and one of them, Lakha Ram of Alias Pur, was taken to the PGI, Chandigarh, as doctors at Malerkotla Civil Hospital had declared his condition to be serious. The two other injured pedestrians are Ravinder Singh and Kirtan Singh. Vicky Chhabra and Vijay Masih, occupants of the three-wheeler, were also shifted to private hospitals.

Eyewitnesses told Ludhiana Tribune that Sukhraj was driving the vehicle recklessly and he lost control over it before reaching the main chowk at Kup Da Tota situated on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road, near here. “Some pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles saved their lives by running away,” a passerby told the police.

Though the police had registered a case no arrest had been made so far. 

In a general meeting of WSESM (Welfare society for engineers, Scientist and managers), members have expressed relief from the Supreme Court’s stay on the 27 per cent quota for OBC's in elite educational institutions.

Pass outs from IIM’s and IIT’s represents the country outside to the whole world. If a candidate from reserved category passes out as doctor from the AIIMS he can play with the life of a patient. People from IIT's, IIM's are the leaders of the country; these are the people those are going to give direction to the country’s growth.

If new methods of sub-standarising the system kept on coming then by the year 2020 these institutes will loss its glare.

I would like to point out that reservation rules will not be beneficial for the country. The society conceded that steps needed to be taken to improve the circumstances of the OBC's but contented that other means could be adopted for the purpose.

Mukesh Abrol, Ludhiana

Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.

Ludhiana August 13
This monsoon season the city is witnessing a flood of a different type. There seem to be deluge of ‘sales’ everywhere. Whether genuine or not, once the tag of ‘Sale’ is put-up outside shops or big showrooms, the shopalcoholics make a beeline for purchasing things ranging from clothes to footwear, accessories, kitchenware, kidswear etc. Be it the leading brands or local-made stuff, heavy discounts are offered to lure the customers.

Starting from 30 per cent, discounts up to 60 per cent are being offered on various items.

'Avail upto 50 per cent discount on readymade garments', 'Genuine mega sale on footwear', 'Sale on sale on new stocks, not the left overs', you go to any part of the city and such 'catchy' banners are sure to catch your attention.

Readymade garments, including a wide range of children dresses, nightwear, shirts and trousers for men, kurta-pyjamas, suits, sarees, lehangas and other dress material for women, purses, bags etc are up for grabs at these sales. Besides, the routine stuff also on offer are hefty discounts on items like microwave, plasma TVs, refrigerators and air-conditioners as well.

Madhusudan, a salesman working at a showroom on Ferozpur Road, said such offers were the need of the hour. "The customers are very smart these days. You can not fool them. Unless and until you provide them lucrative offers, they won’t be tempted to buy. To meet the competition, you need to satisfy the customer on priority basis", he said.

Tanvi, a college going student, said middle class segment go for reasonable yet trendy things. "We being college students, need to wear something new everyday. Expensive, branded clothes, otherwise, are beyond our reach. But in sale season, we get good stuff for much less".

Meanwhile, a homemaker Sudershan Verma expressed dissatisfaction over the sale concept. She said she had gone to buy three pairs of footwear for Rs 500 but the stuff was not only outdated, the sizes were odd, too. "It was all leftover stuff. I could not get even a single pair for myself. I feel they put things on sale to clear their dumped stock", she complained.

One of the marketing executives, Atul Mahajan said sales were just a marketing gimmick. Some of these might be genuine, he said adding that fashion kept on changing and new products were added almost everyday. "The old products need to be sold at cheaper prices in order to get a good clientele. Festive season is also progressing and the shopkeepers who bear losses in sales can get their money back during festivals. Some shopkeepers put on things for sale out of competition", he added.