L U D H I A N A

Elderly couple robbed of jewellery, cash
LUDHIANA, Dec 17—Suspected armed robbers struck at the house of an elderly couple in Santokh Nagar of the city early today morning. They decamped with cash and jewellery worth about Rs 2.5 lakh.

A theft a day keeps Ludhianvis awake
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — On an average a theft or robbery took place each day in the city during the past one week. Besides these incidents, scooters and cycles were also stolen.

Peacock saved, antelope fights for life
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — A little touch of humanity has saved a peacock and might save an antelope from certain death. The injured bird and the animal have been brought to Ludhiana for treatment.

An injured antelope being treated in a PAU veterinary clinic, Ludhiana, and (right) an employee of the PFA Jeev Daya Sadan hospital for birds, Ludhiana, holds the injured peacock that was rescued from Morkirma village near Jagraon. 

Homoeopathy seminar despite protests
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — A seminar on Combinations in Homoeopathy was organised by the Northern India Homoeopathic Chemists amid slogans and dharnas. The protests were organised by the Punjab unit of the Save Homoeopathy Federation. Members of the unit said combination theory was against the principles of homoeopathy.

Lecturers’ interview cancelled
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — On the directions of the Panjab University authorities, the local Arya College today cancelled the interviews for the post of lecturers in history and economics in the college.

Ex-servicemen offer their services
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — While the public is raising a hue and cry over the disrupted postal services due to the employees strike, a group of ex-servicemen have offered their services for managing the postal services.

Goods worth Rs 1 lakh stolen from car
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — In a daylight theft, jewellery, cash and clothes worth more than Rs 1 lakh were stolen from a car parked on the Mall road.

COMMUNITY

Ex-servicemen fast on Vijay Divas
LUDHIANA, Dec17 — The members of the local chapter of the Indian Ex-Services League (Punjab and Chandigarh) went on a token hunger strike in front of the Mini Secretariat to press their demands on the occasion of Vijay Diwas here on Saturday.

Pensioners’ Day celebrated
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — The Punjab State Pensioners’ Confederation organised Pensioners’ Day at Bhartiya Kisan Union Office where hundreds of pensioners from all over the district assembled here today.

FM’s statement a hoax: Rajewal
KHANNA, Dec 17 — Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, Central Secretary, Bharti Kisan Union, today, termed the statement of Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, a hoax on the people. The Union Government imported wheat worth Rs 2600 crore, edible oils worth Rs 3000 crore, sugar worth 2700 crore and 25000 metric tonne of rice under the WTO, Capt Kanwaljit is reported to have said.

Protesters want BJP councillor out
Ludhiana, Dec 17 — Nearly 200 residents of Kirpal Nagar staged a demonstration here today demanding the resignation of the BJP councillor from the area. They said he was responsible for the death of a four-year-old boy who drowned in the manhole in the locality on Wednesday.

Mega Healthy Baby Contest
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — Children dressed in their Sunday best, accompanied by their proud parents brought the Model Town Club alive today. The occasion was Mega Healthy Baby Contest. The organisers: VLCC.

Action against postal staff flayed
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — Mr K.R. Tripathi and Dr Shiv K. Gupta, president and general secretary of the Indian National Bank Employees Congress and the National Organisation of Government Employees, respectively, have criticised the Centre for invoking the ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act ) against the postal employees. 

Youth Congress rally
Ludhiana, Dec 17 — The District Youth Congress organised a rally at Upkar Nagar, here today. Among others the rally was addressed by Mr Kishan Kumar Bawa, secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress, Mr Pawan Dewan, chairman, Indian Youth Congress, Mr Ramesh Joshi, organising secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress.

Land grab alleged
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — A panchayat delegation, led by Mr Kuldeep Singh, sarpanch, Kila Raipur village, gave a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, demanding possession of land acquired by the Grewal Sports Association (GSA), here on Friday.

BUSINESS

Explore B’desh market, exporters told
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — Hosiery and cycle manufacturers have a lot of opportunities in Bangladesh for exports. The economy of Bangladesh was growing at the rate of more than 5 per cent per annum. It has already become self-sufficient in foodgrains.

Seizure of hosiery: will traders relent?
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — The see-saw battle over seized hosiery goods, worth more than Rs 5 crore, between traders and CBI and the Excise and Sales Tax officials continues to protract.

EDUCATION

Prize distribution function
SAMRALA, Dec 17 — The annual prize distribution function of Senior Secondary School, Bija, was held here today under the presidentship of Ms Usha Sidhu, DEO, Ludhiana. Ms Jasbir Kaur, CEO, Nabha, was the chief guest.

ADMINISTRATION

BPOs discuss problems with DEO
LUDHIANA, Dec 17 — In a meeting with the District Education Officer (primary), 19 Block Primary Officers discussed the problems they were facing due to the duties assigned to teachers in their schools during the census which were scheduled to be held in February.