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November 1, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Protest continues against illegal sand mining Ludhiana, October 31 The tension continued in villages including Kadian, Kasabad, Bhadereke, Jamalpur, Leli and Bhatian Bet, after the alleged high handedness of the local police here on Monday, when the police detained some villagers, who were trying to stop the tractor-trailers and trucks, carrying sand from the riverbed. Mr Inder Mohan Singh, sarpanch of one of these villages, alleged that the administration was delaying action against the culprits, who had badly damaged the village link roads. The tehsildar had also submitted a report confirming the illegal sand mining here, but instead of stopping the culprits, the police officials were trying to pressurise the villagers to take back their protest, he added. He asserted that the villagers were determined to take the protest movement to its logical conclusion. The movement gained momentum, when a senior Akali Dal ( Badal) leader, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, joined the protesting villagers today. He said,‘‘We are trying to convince the administration to take action against persons indulging in illegal sand mining. We will be forced to approach the CM if the action is not taken.’’ Mr Hira Singh Gabria, local MLA, has also assured his support to the protesting villagers. The Ludhiana Tribune had reported the illegal sand mining going on continuously for the past many years in the area. The village panchayats of the six villages had passed resolutions to stop it, as it was damaging their link roads, crops and creating a potential threat to the Dhussi bandh. The villagers have complained to the ADC, DC and the Chief Minister, but without any result. They alleged that the state government had failed to check the illegal sand mining, which was going on continuously for the past many years in connivance with some officials of the Mining Department, local police and neighbouring farmers. The contractor was allowing the lifting of sand from the restricted area near the river’s bridge, which is banned by the PWD, through trucks and tractor-trolleys. The trolleys transporting sand, had no permit from the Transport Department. But no action was taken. Mr Inder Singh said they would meet the ADC, Mr S.R. Kler, again, before deciding any further course of action to intensify the agitation. |
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Docs for stringent kidney transplant laws Ludhiana, October 31 Kidney is one of the most transplanted organs around the world, as humans have got two kidneys and one can lead a normal life with one kidney. Ideally the donor should belong to the first-degree family that includes husband, wife (though no blood relation to husband) and children. In case of husband and wife offering to donate a kidney, they should be married for at least three years. If kidney is donated by blood relation, chances of rejection are less. In the CMC, a policy has been made, whereby kidney can be received from the first -degree family. Only in some unique circumstances, members of second-degree relatives like aunts, uncles and cousins are allowed to donate
kidney. This helps as the blood group matches as also the cost of medicines to suppress the rejection of kidneys costs less. Dr Kim Mammen, Professor and Head of Urology, and Dr Basant Pawar, Head of Department of Nephrology, CMC are of the opinion that a kidney transplant has a good success rate provided the physical condition of the recipient is good and he is not on dialysis. The success rate is 90 per cent in the first year of the patients’ life. The patient has to be very careful about taking medicines regularly, drink boiled water, eat home cooked food, and avoid contact with a person with infection. “Before the operation, we hold multiple
interviews, counselling , blood group and HLA test that give us fairly good idea of compatibility”. The doctors say that in India there is acute shortage of donors. There are 2.5 lakh cases of renal failure every year in India. Out of this, 25000 are put on hemodialysis and only 2500 get a kidney transplant. Obviously in some cases the donors are not available. Sometimes members of family can’t donate kidney due to certain reasons. The organ transplant law does not allow the sale and purchase of organs. Yet kidneys are bought and sold. Doctors wonder regarding solution to the sale of kidneys by unscrupulous agents who lure poverty-stricken people and offer them a small percentage of the huge cash amount that they receive from the recipient’s family. Dr Pawar says law-enforcing agencies should take stringent measures against the law-breakers. A solution is to remove kidneys from cadavers with the permission of the relatives. Dr Kim said, “We have harvested kidneys from the cadavers, and the success rate is good. But the mind-set of the people has to be changed through education by religious leaders, politicians and the media, especially television. Young people who die in road accidents or clinically dead people with beating hearts can offer their kidneys to the patients of renal failure. The patient’s kidney should be kept working by some machines. The recipient is also wheeled in the operation theatre. The entire operation takes four to five hours.” This correspondent met Darshna from Jammu who had donated her kidney to her husband two days ago. She said “We had planned the whole thing for months, so I was not scaredto give my kidney. I am happy that my husband would lead a normal life. I am also told by the doctors
that I can resume my normal duties after a fortnight.” Her husband Kewal Singh(an army man) also looked cheerful and was kept on isolation so as to avoid any kind of infection. He would be discharged after a week. Dr Pawar said in Singapore, a temple bears the cost of dialysis and every thing regarding kidney transplant is done by NGOs. The government is not involved. Sadly the number of cases of renal failure are on the increase in India due to a) diabetes. Soon India would have the largest diabetic population of the world. B) chronic glomerule nephritis C) tubule interstitial nephritis D) congenital or inherited E) changing lifestyle Switching over to western diet with more proteins, sedentary habits, eating of preserved food F) hyper-tension due to stressful life. Earlier diagonistic facilities were not available so one did not come to know of diseases. |
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‘We shall
not be blackmailed’ Ludhiana,
October 31 Dr Gursharan Singh, head of
the Ludhiana unit of the IMA, said it was perhaps for the first time
that the association had organised the bandh. He said all major medical establishments in the city had remained closed. The procession continued till the mini Secretariat. The Punjab Medical Representatives Association also observed a bandh and more than 50 women doctors also participated in the rally. The gathering of doctors was addressed by leaders of the IMA and the PMRA. The IMA units of Phillaur, Raikot and Doraha also participated in the rally. At the rally, Dr L.S. Chawla, a former Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, said all doctors should become members of the IMA. He said that it was unfortunate that India was among such countries where quackery flourished. Dr Gursharan Singh asked his fellow doctors to become politically active by supporting candidates in elections who understood the grievances of doctors. “We don’t want that leaders who harbour petty politicians and blackmailers should win elections,” Dr Gursharan said. Doctors said they would not be blackmailed by the goons. The IMA chief thanked other doctors for supporting to the IMA. The speakers included Dr K.P. Singh, Dr Mitra, Dr Savita Nauria, Dr N.D. Awasthi, Dr R.K. Sharma and Dr Rajesh Sharma. The speakers stressed the need for unifying doctors and requested public to cooperate with doctors to prevent such a situation in the future. Later, the doctors were given assurance by Mr G.S. Sandhu, Superintendent of Police, that the aggrieved doctors would receive justice. |
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Man waits for 13 yrs to seek revenge Ahmedgarh, October 31 The reason behind the enmity goes back to 1988 when Avtar Singh had injured Harnek Singh and was sentenced to three years’ jail term following a case registered under Section 307 at police station, Ahmedgarh. After completing the sentence Avtar reportedly developed better relations with Harnek Singh and both became ‘pagg watt’ brothers. Avtar’s sister was also married at Jagera village so he used to meet Harnek frequently and they used to spend hours together over drinks. During this period accused became familiar with deceased’s brother Malkiat Singh and other family members and another 10 years passed like this. According to an FIR registered under Sections 364 and 302 at Malaud Chowki and police station Payal, Avtar came to the house of Harnek Singh on October 22 and asked to accompany him so that they might go with Amrik on truck. He took his cycle also. Both of them reportedly took liquor the whole day and the accused deliberately drank less liquor. He made the deceased sit at Jagera bridge till 11 pm. Avtar then reportedly hit him on the head with a hard object and pushed him in to the river. The police later found the body near Goniana mandi. Postmortem was done on October 27 at the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. The report is awaited. When contacted Mr Lekh Raj, in charge, chowki Malaud, said that the police had raided many places to nab the accused. |
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College’s
help to patient Ludhiana, October 31 Mr A.K.Bhandari, general secretary, in a statement today said the amount was handed over to the forum by the Principal, Dr Rekha Sharma, on October 29. He said the forum was thankful to the college staff for voluntarily helping for the cause. Mr Bhandari said the authorities at the DMCH had told them that the patient needed Rs 2.5 lakh for the surgery. He appealed to other institutions and industrial houses to come forward and donate money to save the life of the patient, Hardev Chand. |
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Doctor, 2 others
booked in rape case Ludhiana, October 31 According to the complaint, Dr Ravinder Singh, Sujat and Anita Duggal offered her a lift to Patiala in their car on May 20 last when she left her home to go to Patiala. She stated in her complaint that since she was a student of Punjabi University, Patiala, she accepted the offer. But the accused took her to Bhogal in New Delhi where she was repeatedly raped by the accused. She was confined to a room and not allowed to move out. None of the accused has been arrested so far. |
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Man jumps in front of train Ludhiana, October 31 According to an eyewitness, the man parked his scooter a little away from the railway crossing towards the Gill canal and jumped before the speeding train at about 9.45 am. He was cut into two. The man was wearing coke trousers, cream shirt and shoes. Sources at the GRP station said the identity of the man was being established through his scooter’s registration number (PB-10-H-9283). The scooter is a Bajaj Chetak. The man was not carrying any paper or suicide note when he took the extreme step. |
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Cong, YC men pay tributes to Indira Gandhi Ludhiana, October 31 Speaking at a party function at New Shivpuri, the district Youth Congress (Urban) president, Mr Parminder Mehta, exhorted the youth to take inspiration from the dedication and the patriotism spirit of Mrs Gandhi and come forward to serve society and nation to the best of their abilities. ‘‘Our country achieved new heights and occupied a place of pride in the world during the tenure of Mrs Gandhi’’. The DYC chief recalled the achievements of the then Congress government under the dynamic leadership of the slain Prime Minister and several radical measures, taken by her to ensure social justice to the weaker sections and the poor masses. Those who offered tributes to Mrs Gandhi included Mr Jatinder Mohan, Mr Ravinder Kumar, Mr Inderjit Parmar, Mr Sarbjit Singh Bunty, Mr Amarjit Bhatti, Mr Sabhajit Pandey, Mr Pankaj Sood, Mr Anil Sachdeva, Mr Rajinder Nihala, Mr Surjit Kaushal, Mr Anil Bittu, Mr Dalip Kumar, Mr Ashok Arora and Mr G.S. Arora. Hundreds of Congress and Youth Congress functionaries paid tributes to Mrs Gandhi at another function, organised by the Urban Development Cell of the IYC in Basti Abdullapur here. Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, Chairman, Labour and Employment Cell of the PPCC, Mr Pawan Diwan, Chairman, Urban Development Cell of the IYC, Mr Jarnail Singh Grewal, Convener, UD cell of PYC and Mr Akshay Bhanot, District Chairman of UD Cell, among others attended the function. Mr Dakha described the slain Prime Minister as the most outstanding of the woman of modern India, who had made a significant contribution to the freedom struggle. She was instrumental in directing the ideology of the party towards basic issues of Indian society and encouraged the younger generation for national reconstruction. According to Mr Bawa, the then Prime Minister, had not only provided a stable government and dynamic leadership to the country, but had also played a vital role in technological advances. Other speakers, including Mr Diwan, Mr Akshay Bhanot and Mr Grewal, recounted that India had become a nuclear power during the regime of Mrs Gandhi and armed forces had inflicted a crushing defeat upon Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. ‘‘Twenty-point economic programme, nationalisation of the banks and strengthening public sector undertakings were some of the revolutionary steps, initiated by Mrs Gandhi for the welfare of the Indian people’’. In yet another function, organised by the SC and ST Cell of Punjab Youth Congress at Mohalla Habib Ganj to observe the death anniversary of Mrs Gandhi, Mr Jasbir Johny, convener, paid tributes to Mrs Gandhi. Among others Mr V.P. Cheeda, Mr Kishori Lal Pawa, Mr Rasheed Gill, Mr Robert Bhatti, Mr Sat Pal Bhatti, Mr Gurdev Masih, Mr Dev Sagar, Mr Janak Raj Bhagat, Dr A.K. Sharma, Mr Rajinder Nanda and Mr Ashok Kumar participated in a prayer meeting.
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‘Condemn Operation Bluestar’ Ludhiana, October 31 In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Grewal, who owes allegiance to Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal Chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, recalled the inhuman and brutal treatment meted out to thousands of Sikhs in Delhi, Ranchi, Kanpur, Bokaro and several other places, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Mr Grewal said it was painful to note that only a few cases were registered against the guilty. The Nanawati Commission, set up by the government to hold probe into the 1984 riots, again failed to make any headway, he added. Mr Grewal made an appeal to the Prime Minister that as recommended by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Parliament should also pass a similar resolution to condemn the killing of innocent people in 1984 in the coming Winter Session. |
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Please-all policy ‘posts’ Congress nowhere Ludhiana, October 31 In the past few days, the PPCC President has nominated about 100 special invitees to the Pradesh Congress and set up about 15 cells to consolidate the party base among people. It is a different matter that insiders see the move as a desperate attempt to keep the flock together before the Assembly elections. In this district, barring a few, most nominations as special invitee to the PPCC were made because the nominees were close to one or the other party stalwart. Not only rank seekers but also senior leaders were lobbying for the nod of the PPCC leadership in favour of their favourite candidates. Those who were able to exert more pressure than others were named heads of various party cells. However, if the purpose of creating these cells was to have a greater interaction with the people, it was not served. The party circles here were agog with bickering and dissension over the formation of the PPCC cells, as at least five of these cells had their conveners from among the local Congress functionaries. A senior party leader, on the condition of anonymity, said reputation and mass appeal were not the criteria for these nominations and what mattered was one’s capacity to manipulate or lobby. The fears of many Congress activists, that some nominations will do little to improve the prospects of the party in the coming Assembly elections, seem justified as most conveners, after their nominations, have not organised a single meeting of party workers. The office secretary of the PPCC, Ms Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, said the nominations of special invitees to the PPCC were justified. She said about 100 such nominations had been made by the PPCC chief from among those who had worked the most for the party’s membership drive. The total strength of the PPCC, with the addition of special invitees, had gone up to more than 300. “The party leadership has taken this step to involve party activists. The cells have been set up to give impetus to the mass-contact programme and bringing specific groups closer to the party,” she said. |
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Dalits being ignored: Cong Ludhiana, October 31 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Kalyan alleged that the Akali-BJP government in the state had launched a false propaganda about the welfare schemes for Dalits and other downtrodden sections of society. He claimed that the government had withdrawn all the welfare schemes launched by the previous Congress government for the welfare of these sections. The Congress leader alleged that the incidents of harassment of Dalits had risen during the present regime. He alleged that a number of Dalit women had been abducted and raped and no action had been taken against the culprits. Levelling serious charges of discrimination against the Badal government, he alleged that the Dalit employees were not being given their due. He claimed that none of the Dalit employees was being given promotion by the Badal government and they were being ignored and neglected. Mr Kalyan promised that the Congress will launch special welfare schemes for the Dalits after coming to power. He said the Dalit cadre was being mobilised and activated and the party had got good response from this section. He said a Dalit workers training camp was being organised in Ludhiana next month, which would be presided over by the national convener of SC/ST Cell of the All-India Congress committee, Mr Ventaka-swami. He declared that the party will give due representation to the Dalits during the next elections.
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Cookery contest at VLCC Ludhiana, October 31 The contest was judged by Mrs Reeta Juneja, a leading cosmetologist from London. She was also the guest of honour on the occasion. Addressing the participants, she said that it was one of the most difficult judgements she had ever given for any contest. She also announced the consolation prize for all the participants by the VLCC. The first prize was won by Anu Khurana for her coconut jumble pudding, whereas the second and the third prizes were given to Navratra pulao and spinach barfi made by Ms Rashmi and Ms Amarjit, respectively. |
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Panthic Morcha to organise Akali conference Ludhiana, October 31 Stating this today, Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi, convener of the Panthic Morcha, said that preparations for the conference had started and a meeting of the senior leaders of the party was held here. The conference would attract delegates from all over the country and even abroad, he said. Baba Bedi said that the conference would focus attention of the people on corruption which had crossed all limits in Punjab under the SAD-BJP government and the failure of Mr Parkash Singh Badal to protect the interest of the Sikhs in particular in Punjab. He charged that rather the Sikh institutions had received the maximum harm during the regime of Mr Badal. Baba Bedi said that three Khalsa morchas would also be organised before the proposed conference on December 2. These members would start from Anandpur Sahib, Takhat Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Patiala and would converge at Akal Takht. The Khalsa marches would bring awareness among the people of Malwa, Doaba and Majha of the state. Baba Bedi said that the Panthic Morcha would provide an alternative to the SAD-BJP Government in Punjab. The unprecedented response to the Panthic Morcha from the people of Punjab had made Badal jittery, he added. |
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Karva Chauth celebrations by women’s panel
Ludhiana, October 31 Ms Avinash Kaur Walia, spokesperson of the club, in a press release said that the festival was celebrated with some difference. The members participated in various activities, including speeches, quiz contest and dress competition. Ms Pooja Singhal got the best speaker award from Ms Avinash Kaur Walia, founder principal and director of Springdale Public School. Ms Singhal, in her speech appreciated Indian traditions and festivals and described their importance. A quiz contest was organised on current topics, including the American-Taliban war. Ms Sandeep Raikhy was given the award for the ‘Best Costume’. Various prizes were given to other contestants who participated in different activities. The spokesperson of the club said that the GEM India Women Welfare Council worked for the welfare of needy persons and children. Welfare projects among these included education and uplift of women, medical help to the needy and problems of women. The guest of honour was Ms Charanjit Kaur on the occasion.
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Shobha yatra held Ludhiana, October 31 The shobha yatra, which started from Daresi Grounds, covered almost all parts of the old city, including Chowk Division 3, Chaura Bazar and CMC Road before culminating at Chowk Ghanta Ghar. The route of the yatra was religiously decorated. More than 10 tableaux depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Lord Valmiki’s life made the yatra a memorable one. Langars were served along the route. The Dr Ambedkar Janhit Exta Mission held a function at Chowk Ghanta Ghar in which a large number of shobha yatra participants from various organisations and parties were honoured with siropas. Meanwhile, the Aadi Dharam Samaj also organised an awareness rally in connection with the birth anniversary celebrations of Lord Valmiki. Mr Viresh Raj Atikaye, who led the rally, said that some senseless persons had conspired to deprive the people of learning from the holy scriptures penned by the lord as a result of which there were mutual conflicts all over the world. He warned all political parties that if they did not stop repression being perpetrated on the Valmiki samaj, it would lead to disastrous results. Mr Viresh stated that a 50-day awareness rath yatra was being organised in Punjab, the purpose of which would be to harness the Valmiki strength and lay the foundation of a bigger movement in view of the forthcoming assembly poll in the state. |
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MCPI condemns POTO Ludhiana, October 31 “This ordinance gives dictatorial powers to the police to scuttle the Press and genuine democratic movement in the country. It would be used and abused against the minorities in the country,” they opined. Both the leaders said the post-independence history show that how the draconian laws had been directed against the minorities and trade union movements. POTO was anti-people and anti-national.
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Landlords demand notification
on rent Bill Ludhiana, October 31 The Bill had been given the nod by the President of India and the immediate implementation would give relief to the landlords. The Bill had been drafted on the pattern of Model Rent Control Legislation New Delhi, to give relief to the landlords. According to the Bill, the owners of the rented house, shops, residential and commercial buildings could get their property vacated from the tenants on certain conditions. The association appealed to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to introduce the Bill in the coming session of Vidhan Sabha for implementing it with certain amendments suggested by Sub-C Committee which were : Compulsory registration of tenancy-agreements, stamp duty from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 and registration fee up to Rs 100, exemption to newly constructed buildings for 10 years from the preview of the Act. Provision for appointment of rent authorities and tribunals; and to empower the non-resident Indians, retiring and retired government employees to recover immediate possession of rented premises. |
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‘Sangat darshan a poll gimmick’ Amloh, October 31 He said the liquor industry has flourished by leaps and bounds with the patronage of the state government. This has resulted in drug addiction among villagers,which has assumed alarming proportions.
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Photo I-cards from November 3 Ludhiana, October 31 Meanwhile, the photography sessions for the electorate in the Ludhiana Rural assembly constituency, who have not so far got the I-cards issued, would continue on November 1. The Deputy Commissioner said that this would be the last opportunity for the voters to get their I-cards. The cards would be prepared and distributed among voters within a week. On November 1, the photography sessions would be held for voters of polling station 262 to 264 at Government High School, Dharor, polling station 265 to 267 at Government Primary School, Tibba, polling stations 268 and 269 at Government Primary School, Paddi, polling stations 270 to 273 at Government Primary School, Khanpur, polling stations 274 and 275 at Government High School, Sangowal, and polling stations 276 and 277 at Government Primary School, Sarinh. |
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War jacks up prices of dry fruits Ludhiana, October 31 The prices of dry fruits have increased by about 50 per cent. As Divali approaches, shopkeepers are increasing the prices according to their whims. ‘Heeng’, that was selling at Rs 900 per kg before, is selling at Rs 2,000 per kg now and the ‘heeng’ business is on the brink of closure. Shopkeepers are not certain of receiving fresh stocks till the war continues. The people of south India like to have ‘heeng’ in their food and dealers in Mumbai may be having stocks, but these may not last long. Mr P.C. Talwar, who has been in the ‘heeng’ trade for many decades, says that the product comes mainly Afghanistan and some of it is even received from Iran. Its shrubs that grow wildly are cut and the sap flows out. The shurbs are cut till the base and the entire sap forms ‘heeng’. The ‘heeng’ from the roots gets mixed with sand and has to be filtered for human consumption to give the most inexpensive form of ‘heeng’. Mr P.C. Talwar manufactures compounded ‘heeng’. After filtration, wheat flour and gum Arabica are added to it to make ‘heeng’ edible. He says, “In my view, when the war stops, the price of ‘heeng’ will come down.” |
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