L U D H I A N A

SAD defends Vajpayee on Ayodhya issue
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — Even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee finds himself cornered by allies like the Trinamool Congress, the Telugu Desam Party and the DMK on his reported statement on Ram temple in Ayodhya, there is a breather from the Shiromani Akali Dal which has given him a clean chit on the issue.

Human rights panel asks police to work for social change
PHILLAUR, Dec 10 — In the changed political scenario and increasing awareness about human rights, the role of police has drastically changed. The community does not expect the police to work for the interests of the ruling classes as during the British period.

Bright chrysanthemum flowers on display at a flower show in Ludhiana on Sunday. — Photo by Rajesh Bhambi

SALES TAX RAIDS
Railways suffers losses as traders turn away
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — The raid by the Sales Tax Department and the CBI at the local railway station on December 5 to detect alleged tax evasion by the hosiery traders has left its direct impact on the parcel booking business of the Railways.

Identity of minor's body not established
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — Mystery continues to shroud the identity of a body of a minor boy found from a vacant plot in the Mohan Singh Nagar area of the city on December 8.

Giving form to the abstract LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — It has been a long way for Ludhiana born Sarab Soni to emerge as one of the top professional painters in the country. She started fiddling with the brush at the tender age of 7. Over the years she went on perfecting her art, until she ultimately graduated to a professional artist.

ROADSIDE ENTERPRENEURS

A gastronomic treat
RITZY restaurants and swanky eateries may attract city’s youngsters wanting to make a lifestyle statement. But when it comes to providing the gastronomic contentment, the humble kulcha - chana sellers seem to emerge as outright winners.





A kulcha chana seller in Ludhiana — RB

COMMUNITY

‘Sugar mills exploiting farmers’
SAMRALA, Dec 10 — Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, National General Secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, alleged that the sugar mills were exploiting the farmers in Punjab. He alleged that Amloh Sugar Mill was purchasing 70 to 100 truck loads of sugarcane daily from UP and Haryana, whereas the mill was not issuing requisition slips for sugarcane purchase to the farmers near the mill area who had bonded their crop with the mill.

Patiala resident commits suicide
LUDHIANA, Dec 10— Unable to tolerate his wife’s refusal to accompany him, Tejpal Singh, a resident of Patiala, today allegedly committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance.

Residents resent unplanned development
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — The welfare society of Model Town Extension, Part- II, Dugri road, submitted a charter of demands to the city Mayor, Mr Apinder Singh Grewal, after he inaugurated a new tubewell in the locality here this morning.

Function at Ek Prayaas
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — Students of Ek Prayaas, a school for mentally challenged, presented a programme on Disability Day today in the new building. Mr Vijay Chopra, Chairman of the Hind Samachar Group of publications, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Physically-challenged children of Ek Prayas performing bhangra on Disabled Day. — RB

Dog show organised
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — The 14th and 15th All Breed Championship dog show was organised by the Ludhiana Kennel Club here today. A large number of rare breeds of dogs participated in the event.

Ramandeep marries
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — Ramandeep Singh, captain of the Indian hockey team, got married to Depinder Kaur in Ludhiana today. Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President of the SGPC, attended the marriage ceremony and gave his blessings to the couple.

CRIME

Gang of thieves busted
LUDHIANA, Dec 10— The focal point police today claimed to have busted a gang of thieves active in the industrial area of the city.

BUSINESS

Hosiery traders prepare for legal battle
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — The decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has toppled the apple cart of hosiery traders who were trying to pressurise sales tax and CBI officials to compromise and release their seized goods without any verification of the material or the addresses of the senders.

COURTS

Judicial files lying pending
SAMRALA, Dec 10 — As many as 3000 judicial files are reportedly lying pending with courts at Samrala. After the transfer of Mr Paramjeet Singh, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) about five months ago, judicial work was entrusted to Ms Ranjeet Kaur, Divisional Judge (Junior Division), Samrala.

HEALTH

Polio drops administered to children
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — Thousands of children were administered polio drops today at different places in the city. Government agencies including the schools and hospitals and many non-government and private organisations had set up special stalls for giving polio drops to the children.

SPORT

Navjot, Narinder win judo gold
LUDHIANA, Dec 10 — National champion Navjot Chana once again mesmerised the audience by his scintillating performance in the Ludhiana District Judo Championship here on Sunday. He won a gold medal in 55-kg class. International player Narinder Kaur also bagged a gold.