Ludhiana, September 28
The police has arrested a woman on the charge of the contract killing of her octogenarian father-in-law in Manakwal village to usurp his property and live with her paramour.

‘Chadar’ was forced on her Ludhiana, September 28 Pritpal Kaur (34) resented the “chadar” due to which she ended up marrying the husband of her sister who had died eight years ago. Pritpal was in her 20s when she had to marry her sister’s husband. It was when she met Gurmeet that she felt she wanted to be with him. She and her paramour decided to kill her father-in-law, who was the sole owner of the family's property. A conspiracy was hatched and they hired contract killers, who murdered the father-in-law in the fields.

The two alleged contract killers, along with her paramour, have also been arrested.

Police investigation had found that Pritpal Kaur had scripted the murder of Sarwan Singh who was found murdered in the fields on August 31.

Briefing mediapersons at a news conference this afternoon, SP (city-III) Sajjan Singh Cheema said the woman and her paramour Gurmeet Singh, a hair dresser, had conspired the murder and hired Hardeep Singh and Sonu, alias Lalla, for the job.

Pritpal was unhappy with her married life. Her husband Bhagwant Singh was quite old than her. He was earlier married to the elder sister of Pritpal who had died some years ago.

The police claimed that Pritpal and Gurmeet had decided to live together. However, as Gurmeet was not rich and she had no assets of her own, they decided to kill Sarwan Singh. Pritpal Kaur allegedly had plans to get the property transferred in her name after his death.

On August 31, she did not go to a marriage function of a relative in Sahnewal while her husband and others went. Sarwan Singh, too, was at home.

The killers, belonging to the same village, called Sarwan in the fields on some pretext and killed him with a sharp-edged weapon.

Ludhiana, September 28
Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the latest SUV from the stable of Mercedes which is priced at around Rs 61 lakh, already has 12 buyers in queue.

The SUV was launched in the northern region in the city today. The first car would be delivered in the industrial town itself.

Manjit Singh Bala, managing director, Tai Pan Traders, told Ludhiana Tribune: “We already have 12 bookings. The segment is growing and we are expecting the response to be quite good.”

The first car, he said, would be delivered in a day or so in Ludhiana, which is leading the region in the number of Mercedes cars.

“Punjab is a high potential market and Ludhiana is definitely leading. Even for this SUV, the bookings started less than a month ago and we already have buyers from the state and Chandigarh in queue,” he said.

Ludhiana has more than 550 Mercedes. Giving details of the new SUV, he said it came with the state- of-the-art technology like powerful new engines, seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-tronic fitted as standard, four-wheel drive system, air suspension and anticipatory occupant protection system.

“The M-Class is set to reaffirm the off-roader's leading position in a fast-growing market segment. It is the world's first SUV with seven speed automatic transmission,” he said.

The SUV has strongly contoured surfaces and taut lines, besides a swept-back windscreen, striking front wings and rising shoulderline.

Up to 2,050 litres of load capacity offered ample space for luggage and sports equipment. The cushions and backrests of the rear seats were split 60:40 and could be folded. 

Ludhiana, September 28
Officials of the food wing of the health department here inspected eateries and provision stores in the city today to check the manufacture and sale of adulterated and poor quality food.

According to Dr Sat Pal Sharma, civil surgeon, a team of officials comprising J.M. Singh, senior medical officer, and food inspectors Manoj Khosla and Ravinder Pal Garg took 10 samples of mustard oil, wheat flour, vanaspati ghee, spices, pickle, salt and snacks from Tibba road, Vijay Nagar, Tajpur road, Ajit Nagar and Chandigarh road localities.

The samples had been sent to a government laboratory for analysis .

Dr Sharma said another team of officials went to the Chhapar mela to check food stalls. 

Not that I am actually passing through that stage in my life. Still deep down there is something that craves for a lull in the storm. To be honest there had never been a storm in my vicinity. Only a passing wind ignited the spark into a flame. With the help of that flame,an attempt was made to brighten the dark corridors of the mind. The result had been encouraging but not entirely satisfying. Even then there is no reason to the regretful whatsoever.

No doubt a time comes in the life of a creative writer when he wants to be away from the hustle and bustle of life. It is of course difficult to pinpoint the reason as the unconscious mind springs surprises at the most unexpected moments. Dr Mohd. Iqbal just surprised his readers, when he gave vent to his longings for residing in a hut on the hillside. He wanted the much-needed solace in the lap of nature:-

“Duniya ki mehflon se ukta gya hoon ya- Rub

Kya lutf anjuman ka jab dil hi bujh gya ho”

Likewise, Mirza Ghalib wanted to seek refuge at a place where no one resided. He did not want to converse with anyone, nor did he want anyone in the neighbourhood. On his falling ill, he did not want anyone to look after him, nor did he expect someone to shed tears or mourn after his death:-

Rahiye abb aise jagha chalkar jahan koi na ho

Hamsukhan koi na ho humzaban koi na ho

Be dar-o-deewar sa ikk ghar banaya chahiye

Koi humsaya na ho aur pasban koi na ho

Padiye gar beemar to koi na ho teemardar

Aur agar marjaeeye to nauhakhan koi na ho

Hali Panipati, who was Mirza Ghalib’s disciple, had been a very practical man all through his life. He was fully involved in the social and political problems of the time. No one expected that one day he would announce his retirement from the arena of life’s struggles. A day came when he proclaimed that enough was enough. He had no more any desire to take part in the day-to-day activities as he had been doing heretofore:-

Bulbul ki chaman mein ham zabani chhodi

Bazm-e-shaura mein sherkhani chhodi

Jab se dil-e-zinda tu ne hum ko chhoda

Hum ne bhi teri Ram-kahani chhodi

Indeed I am not as yet at the peak of my resentment against the deceptive ways of life. It is true that one seldom comes up to the expectations of one’s own reckoning. People have their own yardsticks to measure the stature of others. Moreover, there is a tide in the affairs of men. The periodical undulation of the waves in the sea of life is a natural phenomenon. There is generally no logic at work as it is the mind and not the intellect that is the deciding factor. With this understanding of the passing phase of life, I am with Jigar Moradabadi when he says:-

Duniya ke sitam yaad na apni hee wafa yaad

Abb mujh ko nahin kuchh bhi mohabbat ke siva yaad.

— N.S. Tasneem

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 28
Responding to an appeal made by a delegation of traders and office bearers of the Aggarwal Sabha and Arhtia Association at Galla Mandi here yesterday, Chief Minister Parkash Singh assured the delegates that he would direct the authorities to redress their problems on priority.

However the SAD and the BJP leaders and activists accused the organisers of ignoring them on occasion of a visit of their supreme leader and staged a protest.

According to Jawahar Lal Mittal, host of the function, the delegates, besides demanding sub-division status for the town, requested the Chief Minister to order construction of new grain market at Jagera road here. “As I have come here on a social visit, the concerned authorities have not been asked to reach here. However I will direct them to redress your grievances at an earliest,” Mittal quoted Badal.

Badal had come here on way to Chhapar mela yesterday. Mann Singh Garcha, SVP of the SAD, had arranged brunch for the CM and his staff at the residence of Jawahar Mittal. Keeping in view the security arrangement, the administration had asked the host to restrict number of invitees to the function. Consequently, local leaders and activists of the SAD and BJP were not allowed to enter the house where Badal stayed for more than half an hour. When the CM was having brunch, the activists staged a protest and raised slogan against the police and the government. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 28
Despite hijacking of Chhapar mela, one of the biggest rural fairs of the North India, by the political parties, people of the state have played a significant role in preserving its socio-cultural identity. This was stated by Harjinder Pal Singh Walia, who authored a research work on “Fairs and Festivals of Punjab”. He arrived at this conclusion after completing a documentary film on this mega event today.

He called upon the state government to take steps to maintain the novelty of the fair, a symbol of communal harmony and fraternity; that was being held on a shrine of Guga Peer, representing Muslim community, worshiped and managed by Brahmins and financially supported Sikhs.

While talking to Ludhiana Tribune Walia claimed a large number of devotees, irrespective of their caste and creed had been paying obeisance at the shrine and participating in cultural programmes organised at the mela. “Rather this section of participants has been coming to the mela on its own in contrast to those who are “brought” to political conferences by their respective political leaders,” he claimed.

Apprehending hasty transformation of the event from cultural and social to political and economic affair, Walia urged the Chief Minister to impress upon the authorities concerned to take initiative to preserve the archival value of the event. He pointed out that the government’s apathy had resulted in lack of proper transformation of knowledge about religious, cultural and social aspects of the mela. People had almost forgotten that patients suffering from various kinds of diseases had been finding solace here.

He called upon the journalists to highlight the religious, social, cultural and medicinal aspects of the mela as well. 

Ludhiana, September 28
To commemorate the hundredth birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, city residents, schools, colleges and several organisations organised several functions in the city today.

The students of the Punjab Agricultural University initiated a cleanliness drive in the Rock Garden of the campus on the occasion.

The vice-chancellor, Dr M.S. Kang, flagged off the campaign by working with the students himself. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kang said Bhagat Singh stood against the atrocities and evils in the British regime and the time was to emulate him to eradicate evils from the society.

He opined that lack of civic sense was a major evil and the students deserved all praise for choosing such a day to launch the beautification of the university.

Underlining the importance of finding solutions than merely raising problems, Dr Kang said service towards one’s alma mater, positive attitude and concrete action would go a long way in catapulting PAU to an enviable position. He exhorted the students to join National Service Scheme in order to volunteer for such programmes in future as well.

A group of some individuals formed a non-government organisation, Freedom In Reality (FIR) to disseminate the ideology of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs who laid down their lives for the Independence of the country.

President, S.P. Sharma, said FIR would continuously strive for protecting the suffering citizens, who approach the members in any matter related to infringement of their civil, social or personal freedom.

The Krantikari Samajwadi Party also celebrated the birth centenary of the martyr with great enthusiasm. Sewa Singh, party president, said the countrymen needed to imbibe the nationalistic and patriotic values of the martyr. This would be the greatest tribute to him.

The District Youth Congress (urban) also organised a function to commemorate the birthday of martyr. Led by Sushil Kapoor, the party activists distributed fruits to lepers in a lepers house.

The Rameshwar Welfare Society called for the youths to inculcate revolutionary ideology of the martyr if they wanted to get rid of unemployment and other social problems.

A local councillor, Parminder Mehta celebrated the anniversary by criticising the government for cane charging farmers who were protesting outside Jallianwala Bagh yesterday.

The Ludhiana Philatelic Club demanded that a postal stamp on the occasion should be released by the government. Yashpal Bangia, president of Club said that they organised an exhibition of philately on the occasion of martyr’s special day today. 

The story “Brave Man Let Down by Police” in The Ludhiana Tribune on September 21 was very interesting. I appreciate your courageous concern for law and social order.

Out of millions, one like Mohinder Singh dares to challenge the small time criminals. It is a pity that our social system and civil administration is such that it may spend crores on hoarding and advertisements to solicit general public in order to display exemplary alertness and courage to

apprehend the criminals. But it does not help the samaritan like Mohinder Singh, when he is in need.

The administration should extend financial help and accord recognition to him. This will encourage others to help the weak and helpless.