Ludhiana, July 22
After clearing thousands of trees for the six-laning of the National Highway Number-1 on the Khanna-Ludhiana road, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) now faces the tough task of removing encroachments, especially religious ones, coming in the way of widening the road.

A number of religious structures that have come up over the years on the forest land stand tall on both sides of the NH-1. While trees are being felled at a fast pace for the widening project, the authorities will have to face a tough resistance for removing religious as well as other encroachments.

The NHAI has prepared a list of structures coming in the way of the six-laning project. The work of demolishing encroachments is yet to be started.

A quick survey of the NH-1 from Khanna to Ludhiana by a Tribune team revealed that illegal structures of almost all religions had come up on both sides of the road. The sword of Damocles was hanging over these places, but it remains to be seen whether the authorities concerned would be able to overcome the stiff resistance offered by those controlling these places.

At several spots, these places are just a few feet away from the existing road. Even if the authorities would try to leave the spot untouched, the road can not be six-laned.

Those in control of these places said they would not allow these buildings to be touched by the authorities. “These are the places of faith. Several are more than 100 years old. How can the place be removed from here for widening of a road?” said a religious leader, refusing to hear any argument on the issue.

He said when the previous generations of his village developed this place into a religious spot, they had never imagined that it would be incorporated into a road. “Do we ever raze religious places for the widening of road?” he asked. For the time being the authorities have been sparing these points of contention. They are just felling the trees and laying the road where there is no encroachment.

“We would cross this bridge too when we would come to it as we have already chalked out an effective plan,” said an official of the NHAI.

Ludhiana, July 22
The police arrested 11 persons, five girls, a woman and four men, for allegedly running a brothel at Mohd. Kabir Nagar in Shimlapuri late last night.

Giving details about the crackdown, SP said, “We received a secret information that a woman, Charanjit Kaur alias Channo, along with her son Rajinder Singh, was running flesh trade in Shimlapuri”.

A team raided the brothel and arrested the girls who were indulged in prostitution. Four customers were also nabbed from the spot. The accused have been identified as Hansraj, Pritpal Singh, Naranjan Singh and Jasvir Singh.

Police sources said accused Charanjit Kaur had even forced her elder daughter into this trade and was now compelling her younger daughter and daughter-in-law into the trade. Sources further said the younger daughter and daughter-in-law had even met SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill a few days ago and briefed him about the matter.

The daughter-in-law of the accused alleged that her husband and mother-in-law were running this trade under the garb of dance group. She alleged her husband was working as a pimp.

The police has also confiscated a few mobile phones from the accused. The sources said the mobile had vital details and phones numbers of some noted Punjabi singers. Two out of the six girls arrested for prostitution are resident of Nepal and recently came from Delhi.

While another girl, who is nabbed, is from Uttar Pradesh. The sources said the girl from Moga, who is said to be a close relative of Channo, was also pushed into prostitution. SP Kalia said all accused had been booked for the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act.

Meanwhile, the elder daughter of Charanjit Kaur Channo, who was nabbed on the flesh trade by the CIA- I police last night, turned out to be a noted dancer, who has also worked in a dance sequence with Big- B Amitabh Bachchan in a film “Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo”, five years ago.

Not only this, she has also worked in 12 Punjabi music albums so far and even performed in Victoria Palace in Birmingham last year.

Police sources said Preeto (Name Changed) used to offer money and used to pursade girls from poor families to get into flesh trade.

According to the police, she used to persuade girls working along with her during the shooting of Punjabi pop songs. Besides Preeto has a huge network, which spreads across Delhi.

According to the police sources, she used to arrange girls from Delhi. Police sources said the girls facing financial crunch were often targeted by Preeto.

Sources said recently Preeto came across Preety and Neetu Sharma, both Nepalese, who were working for a dance group in Delhi.

Preeto persuaded both of them and managed to get them into this trade.

Though, all of them claimed innocence and said they do dance shows only, the bother of Preeto, Rajinder Singh, who was working as a pimp, cracked soon during the interrogation and confessed of running a brothel.

Further, wife and younger sister of Rajinder Singh, also informed the senior officer about the illegal trade being run in the garb of dance group. “As the trade offers huge money, it came easy of us mint huge amount overnight,” said a girl who was caught by the police last night.

Ludhiana, July 22
With the commencement of the new academic session 2009-10, the educational institutions have started taking anti-ragging measures.

Dr Manjit Singh Kang,vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, told The Tribune today that there was a total academic atmosphere at the campus. “There has been very good response to all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and even the self-financed courses have received maximum response,” Dr Kang added.

Regarding the anti-ragging measures, the vice-chancellor said, “We have asked evey student to sign an affidavit, along with their parents, to the effect that they would not engage in ragging. Anti-ragging committees have been formulated at the college and university level. The teachers taking courses of 1st year class are actively involved in curbing ragging, if any. Teachers have been deputed to reach the class before time and to visit hostels to prevent ragging. Their telephone numbers have been intimated to deans, heads and other officers of the university.So far, there have not been any cases of ragging in the university. The information pertaining to the ragging has been incorporated in the prospectus of the university”.

Dr SK Jand, Registrar, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), said the academic session of the university had started with the completion of the admissions. Dr Jand said they had also taken strong anti-ragging measures and were following all directions of the UGC. Different anti-ragging committees at college and hostel level had been formed. A flying squad under the leadership of the Director Student Welfare has also been set up to check the menace of ragging on the campus.

Mrs RK Aulakh, Principal, Government College for Women, said they had put up the list of landline and mobile phone numbers on the notice board of the college and 10 other points on the campus and students ragged could contact the teachers’ concerned.

She said that they had also warned the old students and particularly the hostellers not to harass the newcomers and rather they should take care of them. The college also organised class-wise assembly today to make the students aware about the ragging menace.

Jasbir Kaur Makkar, Principal, SCD Government College for Boys, disclosed that they had put up anti-ragging posters with the slogan “Ragging is prohibited”. The college had set up a teachers’ committee to present any case of ragging with vice-principal as its in charge.

Ludhiana, July 22
A vigilance team of the Local Bodies Department today visited the Municipal Corporation office following complaints of illegal constructions in zone-A and zone-C.

According to sources, the team of two officials inspected documents and visited the site in C-zone after they received a complaint that a hall had been constructed in a residential area near canal and commercial activity was going on there. The vigilance sleuths went to the location.

The sources revealed that while the ATP was stressing on the fact that the construction was five to six years old, the vigilance team was not agreeing to it and stated it to be a new construction.

Similarly, the vigilance department had received a complaint of unauthorised construction near Kapoor Hospital, and records pertaining to it were also sought, but due to the absence of draftsman, they couldn’t get much information.

Ludhiana, July 22
Gyatri Mantra and Aditya Hridya Stotra could be heard in big as well as small city households during the solar eclipse today.

Going by the astrological, religious and scientific connotations, the people from all walks of life in the city observed different rituals related to the solar eclipse.

Gauhar, a young doctor (intern) and astrologer, while giving an insight into the solar eclipse, said, "The three dimensional (astrological, religious and scientific) suggestions for solar eclipse hold equal weight as their approach may be different but their implications are the same."

Citing an example of the general warning given by astrologers to the people working with metals, Gauhar stated that the ultra-violet rays had an effect on the energy level of electrons which is why it was recommended that people working with metals should not touch metallic instruments during the solar eclipse.

Similarly, as per strictures in the Hindu religion, consumption of water from wells and food kept out in open during the solar eclipse is prohibited which, if seen scientifically, is nothing but to avoid the ill effects of ultra-violet rays emitted from the sun during the period.

Not in the least deterred by hefty airfares for the flights to Varanasi, a large number of devotees from Ludhiana were there to take a dip in the holy water of the Ganga.

Ayurvedacharya from Ludhiana R Vatsyayan wrote in his SMS to his friends from Varanasi, "The total solar eclipse is a spectacular view. Sach mein aaj to din mein tare dekh liye (In true sense we have seen stars in the day)."

Unable to hide the excitement in her voice, another septuagenarian, who had gone with his wife to Varanasi, said "It was a lifetime experience to feel the hot water of the Ganga turning cool during the eclipse."

Interestingly, the homemakers investing in the stock market were elated to have invested in the right commodity as Mriga shared her exhilaration of having invested in pulses/ cereals, which, she said, would give her good returns as per astrological forecast.

There was no bound to the excitement of the children who were awake to witness eclipse.

The students were shown the proceedings of the eclipse on projectors and given references of the Vedas wherein the solar eclipse is said to have significant affect on eyes, bones as it is the source of Vitamin D.

Doraha, July 22
It was definitely a day different from the usual ones, especially for schoolchildren.

One of the biggest reason being the schools getting open a hour late than the usual time today, as per the directions given by the government.

Hardik, a student of Doraha Public School, shared, “We were informed a day before that the school will open a hour late due to the solar eclipse. I was relaxed when I got up today, as there was no hustle and bustle of the routine days. The solar eclipse has given me a chance to have my breakfast which I generally skip because of paucity of time.”

The solar eclipse, however, remained the main attraction of the day, especially in the morning. “I was crazy to view the eclipse for which I sacrificed the sleep”, said another student of the school.

“I used special goggles to view the eclipse. Moreover, it was being regarded as the biggest eclipse of the century. I prepared a pinhole camera by making a hole in the newspaper and pasted it on the mirror. Then I held the mirror towards the sun and saw the reflection of the eclipse,” expressed Manmeet, a student of Sacred Heart Convent School, Ludhiana.

“I rushed towards the roof top when my parents woke me up at 6.10 am. I was eager to view the eclipse. But at the same time, as instructed by my teacher not to observe the eclipse with naked eye, I folded the X-ray doubly and viewed the eclipse through it,” commented another student of Sacred Heart Convent School.

But some of the schools ignoring the government instructions opened the schools at the usual time and failed to give a chance to the students to celebrate the day with a “difference”.

This time it was not an accident but a fall.My scooter slipped when I took a steep turn on a muddy road. Slowly but surely I slid towards the right side, while the scooter settled down on my right foot.I feared fracture but, as luck would have it, it turned out to be the spraining of the ligament and straining of the muscles.In the heat of the moment I rode back home on my scooter, but after getting mercifully the help of the bystanders, non-entities as usual.

At home, I realised the enormity of such a sudden fall which had a beginning and an end but the ‘middle’ was smothered, if not crushed.For about half another, I tried to walk briskly with the help of a staff so as to prevent the congealing of the blood in the veins.

Still the limp is there even after two weeks.It simply reminds me of my folly but I want to get some solace by comparing it to the Byronic limp. Lord Byron had a limp which added to the grace and charm of his personality. His contemporaries, young and handsome, started feigning a little limp in their gait so as to be in step with the changing times.

Achilles had a vulnerable heel but he was a formidable Greek hero.He once challenged Agamemnon, the king of kings, when he was deprived of his war-prize. Later he defeated Hector, the commander-in-chief of Trojan forces, outside the wall of Troy. His heel,no doubt, ultimately brought about his downfall.

Mirza Ghalib had also something to say about his feet.Earlier the poet had justified his wanderings with the assertion- “Ek chakkar hai mere paaon mein zanjeer nahin” (My feet are destined to roam freely as they are not chained.) At another time, he was so enamoured of his wanderlust that he justified the movements of his feet even under the shroud after his death-

“Allah ray Zauq-e-dasht navardi ke baade-marg.Hilte hain khud-bkhud mere ander kafan ke paaon.”

Later, he complained that his feet had been lacerated in the terrain of love. As a result,he could neither stay on nor run away at that time of his life -

“Huay hain paon hi pehle nabard-e-ishk mein zakhmi

Na bhaaga jaaye hai mujhse, na thhehra jaaye hai mujhse”

Now, perhaps, has come the time for me to hold Asa-e-peeri (the staff of old age). It is in fact in accordance with the riddle of the Sphinx that Oedipus could solve, before being crowned as the King of Thebes. She asked- ‘What creature alone changes the number of its legs, going in the morning on four, at noon on two and in the evening on three’. The answer of course was ‘man’. In childhood man uses his hands and feet to cover a distance. In youth he walks on two legs but in old age he walks on his two legs with the help of a walking stick.

Ludhiana, July 22
PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, felicitated 13 NSS volunteers, who represented the university in the summer mega camp held at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development, Sriperambdur, Tamil Nadu, from June 21 to July 4, special adventure camp at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and winter sports at Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir, from June 20 to June 29.

Dr Kang congratulated the participants for bringing laurels to PAU at the national level.

The PAU volunteers have contributed towards the campus development by undertaking drives aimed at cleanliness, environment conservation, tree plantation and creating awareness against drugs and intoxicants, etc., he said.

He suggested the volunteers to continue doing good work for society. He also welcomed Gurdeep Singh Bhatti, assistant programme adviser, NSS.

Dr Kang delivered certificates and mementos to each participant.

Bhatti in his remarks appreciated PAU for its regular participation in the NSS activities at the national level.

Ludhiana, July 22
Punjab Agricultural University is organising a research and extension specialists’ workshop for rabi crops on August 18-19 in the Pal Auditorium on the PAU campus. Giving details, officiating director of extension education, Dr DS Dhillon, said this was an important pre-season event wherein PAU experts, officers and extension personnel of the state agriculture department would interact to discuss the new recommendations for release to farmers.

The workshop will be inaugurated by PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang, said Dr Dhillon.

He said during the workshop, the recommendations for package of practices of PAU for rabi crops would be finalised.

On the occasion, the director of agriculture, Punjab, will share production targets for different rabi crops, while the PAU director of research will share new research highlights.

He added that the subject-matter specialists of different PAU departments would highlight new research findings and respond to queries posed by participating field functionaries.

Dr Dhillon said an exhibition showcasing the new highlights of different departments on rabi crops would be arranged.

Ludhiana, July 22
The Punjab State Electricity Board's (PSEB) proposal to the Punjab State Regulatory Commission to increase the power tariff in order to make up with the board's loses is, however, not being accepted by the industry.

Sore over the poor management of the board in managing their finances and policies, industrialists said the power position in the state was going from bad to worse with each passing day and the board wanted to put all its blame on consumers in the form of increased tariff.

Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings general secretary Avtar Singh said previously the PSEB had an excuse of imposing power cuts due to less rainfall and now when there had been widespread rainfall, the position of power cuts remained the same. Now it was due to the outage of thermal units.

“The working of the PSEB is to be condemned, which is the root cause of many problems. With the scheduled and unscheduled power cuts, the working of the industrial units had come to a halt and there was a loss of crores of rupees not only to the industry but also to the state exchequer,” said Avtar Singh adding that the industry of Punjab was being penalised due to the inefficiency of the board authorities, as the thermal units, which were required to give the utmost generation in these critical days, tripped occasionally showing the performance of the PSEB.

Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry president PD Sharma said if tariff was increased, there would be an additional increase in the electricity duty, which at present was about 11 paise per unit.

“Even if the commission decides to increase 5-6 per cent tariff, the duty will be hiked to a minimum of 50 paisa and the industry, which is already reeling under recession, will be the major sufferer. The PSEB sends its requirement list every year, which is often exaggerated but at the end of the day, the consumers are asked to shell out money from their pockets to make up for loses,” he said.

“Putting burden on the consumers, be it industrial or domestic, is not the solution. We can think of it if the board provided us with all facilities but in the power crises situation, we will not agree to any hike,” another industrialist VP Chopra said.

Mandi Gobindgarh, July 22
Fortythree candidates filed their nomination papers for the 39 seats of the Steel Chamber of Commerce, Mandi Gobindgarh, here.

In the rolling mill category, seven candidates, including Bharat Bhushan Toni, Hardev Singh, Sushil Kumar, Vinay Gupta, Rakesh Kumar, Gurmeet Singh and Vikram Singh, had filed their nomination papers for six posts and six candidates, including Jagmel Singh Matharoo, Harish Kumar, Sat Narayan, Jagtar Singh, Rajeev Kumar and Sukhwinder Singh, had filed their nomination papers for the five seats of steel-allied industry.

Thirty candidates, including Sarinder Kumar Singhi, Anil Madkan, Krishan Kumar, Jatinder Kumar, Banarsi Dass, Jaikuti, Mahesh Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Rajesh Gupta, Jagmohan Singh, Harpreet Singh and Pargat Singh, have entered in the fray for 28 posts in the trade category.

The election will be conducted on July 25 at Ram Bhawan from 11 am to 4 pm.

Ludhiana, July 22
Ludhiana has become a hot destination for the films and TV stars for promoting their ventures. When it comes to launching a new album, serial or a film, the city figures on top of the list of stars. The shooting of the Hollywood film “Heartland” in the city is a testimony to the fact.

Regular visits of TV stars here prove that the viewers from the city hold potential market. Be it a serial from Zee TV or NDTV Imagine, stars want to strike a chord with the city residents. Not only this, Punjab and its culture are also forming an important part in the serials and the films.

Recently, the leading pair of television serial “Ramayana”, being aired on NDTV Imagine, were in the city. Gurmeet and Vevina, besides interacting with the serial, also got in touch with the general public. In the evening, they went to Krishna Mandir, Model Town, and performed arts at the temple.

Besides television, Ludhiana also lures film stars for promoting their films. Be it a regional or Bollywood film, stars descend on the city for promotion.

Chandigarh and Ludhiana are important markets and producers cannot afford to ignore them.

Rap star Bohemia and Monica Bedi also came to the city to launch their albums. Even the new programmes to be aired on TV channels are promoted in the city. Huge billboards dotting the city prove the fact.

Cartoon Network recently launched its new animated comedy series “Chowder” that chronicles the magical misadventures of young chef’s apprenticeship in the imaginative and magical city of Dakaarpur.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 22
Factionalism among SAD-BJP leaders in the state has affected the functioning of almost all departments of the administration.

Unable to appease leaders of both parties, officials, irrespective of their rank and status are working under the fear of being punished allegedly under orders from senior leaders, including the Chief Minister.

Claiming that traditional leaders did not interfere in working of any of the officials, Inderjit Sharma, president of the SAD-backed union, the Punjab Mulazim Dal, regretted that a few ‘immature’ and selfish self-styled leaders had been misguiding the party high command in order to settle score with a few government officials.

“We have requested the Chief Minister to verify allegations levelled by any of the leaders before taking action against officials. We have even appraised the high command about situation arisen due to infiltration of Congress activists in our party under guise of extending support during the last elections,” Sharma said.

Senior functionaries of various departments are living under the fear of undue interference of a few SAD and BJP leaders during the past several years.

The situation worsened after high commands of these parties have allowed factionalism in their outfits. “We don’t understand whose orders to follow. There are numerous presidents and chairmen of various cells of parties in the regime, each claiming to be close to the Chief Minister,” rued a government official who felt relieved after getting himself transferred from the area a few months ago.

The insult and injury caused by political interference has led to a situation where officials are not willing to join important posts in offices of the area. Unlike earlier trend posts of executive offices at civic bodies of the area, including the local ones are lying vacant.

An executive officer of the town was transferred four times within a few weeks recently. After his transfer no official is willing to work in this area. An official who was on the verge of retirement was posted here. He retired without doing much for the town’s development. The office is lying vacant since then.

In another incident, an SDO of the civic body was recently transferred on the verbal orders issued by the Chief Minister. A municipal commissioner, owing allegiance to the SAD, had accused him of not accompanying her during a visit to her ward after office hours.

Caring two hoots for the rule and regulations governing services of government officials, the municipal commissioner had mentioned ‘unproved charges’ in a transfer letter, simultaneously seeking explanation.

“In the pursuance of telephonic message of the Chief Minister, Hakam Singh, SDO (B and R), is being served show cause notice and transferred mutually with Sunil Kumar Sharma, SDO (hot mix plant) as he (Hakam Singh) had disobeyed higher authorities by not accompanying area councillor Surjit Kaur Bhatia during her visit to area at 6 pm on July 1,” reads a communication without mentioning which higher authority had asked the official to remain present beyond his duty hours.

Ludhiana, July 22
On the call of the joint forum of unions/associations in the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Employees Union and the Sanchar Nigam Executive Association held a massive demonstration against the proposed disinvestment of public sector undertakings, including the BSNL.

The protest was organised in front of the office of the General Manager, Telecom. Protests were organised all over India today.

Addressing protesters, Balbir Singh, circle secretary, Punjab, said the move of the government to disinvest 10 per cent shares of the BSNL through IPO is unwarranted as the BSNL had a bank reserve of Rs 37,000 crore, so there was no need of borrowing money from the market through the IPO.

Balwinder Singh, district secretary, said, the IPO was not in favour of people as well as the employees of the BSNL. "We have the experience of MTNL which is struggling to survive in spite of the disinvestment. The public sectors are the backbone of the economy and it has been observed in case of the present recession. It is the public setup only which has saved the Indian economy. The capitalist USA is converting private sectors into public sectors to tackle the world recession but the Indian government is eager to sell the public sector".

The united front was determined not to allow the government to sell the profit earning public sectors. The joint forum would fight against the disinvestment and if the government did not stop the practice, the joint forum would start a serious struggle.

Meanwhile on the call of the Committee of Public Sector Trade Unions, the members of Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association observed the day as anti-disinvestment day and staged a demonstration during the lunch in front of all offices of the LIC.

While addressing the gathering, Amarjit Singh, divisional secretary, said the economic survey 2009 asked the government to divest up to 10 per cent equity in all public sector undertaking with an annual dis-investment target of Rs 25,000 crore per annum.

Doraha, July 22
Hyacinth plants that have found an easy passage from hills into the Sirhind canal may pose a serious threat to life and property around.

“As the plants have obstructed the free flow of water coming from the mountains due to frequent rains, residents fear that it can pose serious danger if not removed,” said a commuter.

“The heavy gush of water, failing to find an easy passage ahead due to the heavy accumulation hyacinth at the gates of Gurthalipur, can break the partially eroded banks and damage the nearby fields apart from flooding the nearby villages and towns,” apprehend farmers.

Out of the three, flow in one of the rivers has been nearly obstructed by the weed, thus giving worries to residents. The fears multiplied all the more on Monday when it rained heavily.

Although the removal of this plant is going on at the war-footing, till the whole mess is cleared, danger lurks on the minds of the nearby residents.

One of the villagers said the bridge was already an old one and in case the free flow was hindered, it could prove dangerous for the bridge leaving aside the loss to the surrounding areas.

On the other hand, Rajinder Singh Khokhar, XEN Canals (Ropar), said there was no reason for panic as the flow of water was not obstructed to a great extent with the hyacinth plants getting caught up at the gate of the Gurthalipur. However, men have been deployed so that the weed is entirely pulled up and smooth flow of water ensured”.

The XEN claimed that although the weed has been cleared to a large extent, “We shall have to reduce the water level from the initial point to pave its way from under the Gurthali gate.

Traffic jam on the GT road following a protest by shopkeepers in Ludhiana on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Ludhiana, July 22
Shopkeepers of the old city area today once again held a protest and blocked the GT Road following MC’s failure to make efforts to drain out water from the streets.

The shopkeepers raised slogans against area councillor Parminder Mehta and the civic body, alleging that due to prevalence of corruption the development in the city had come to a halt.

Ludhiana Electronics Traders Association secretary Ravinder Singh said, “It’s we who bear losses due to the MC’s apathetic attitude. There are scores of people who have shops in the basements and when water enters the shops we are left with no other option but to drain it out using generators”.

“It happens every rainy season. We fail to understand why a concrete solution to it cannot be chalked out, stated shopkeeper Amarjit Singh, adding that things were getting worse for those trading in the old city area.

He added that 2 to 3 feet water was accumulated yesterday. “Had the MC officials got chocked sewers cleaned up, the situation could have been easily bailed out,” said the shopkeepers.

Meanwhile, Parminder Mehta said, “After I got complaints about failure of the drainage system in the old city, I had directed the MC officials to take stock of situation. They brought to my notice that pucca encroachments on banks of nullahs were another reason why rainwater could not be let out”.

Understanding the intensity of the situation, the councillor has already directed the MC officials to remove encroachments and an anti-encroachment drive was also undertaken where pucca constructions were removed. He urged the shopkeepers to lend a helping hand to solve the problem rather than resorting to dharnas and protest.