AHMEDGARH
PULSE POLIO DRIVE: In order to supplement and support the national cause of complete polio eradication, the local branch of Punjab National Bank actively participated in the campaign against polio, initiated by the local Civil Hospital staff. The bank has been mobilising public opinion by way of cable TV network and through banners and posters — ‘Aao kariye bacheyan te upkaar, pilaiye polio boondan pher is baar’. An impressive rally of schoolchildren was organised by the local Civil Hospital where in Dr Krishan Pilani, SMO, Dr Narinder Gupta, Dr Karnail Singh and other staff participated. In response to publicity, a large number of parents thronged polio booths with their tiny tots for giving them polio drops. First drops were given by local PNB Branch Manager, Mr B.B. Goyal, on the hospital premises.POLIO DROPS: Around 7,000 children upto the age of five years in the town and its surrounding villages were vaccinated against polio during the first phase of the Pulse Polio Programme on the first two days. According to Dr Krishan Pilani, incharge, Civil Hospital, 26 centres were set up where health workers administered the vaccine to children with the help of local Rotary Club and Scouts volunteers of MGMN Senior Secondary School. Vaccination in surrounding area falling under Pakhowal block was undertaken by the Bharat Vikas Parishad.
BATHINDA
WOOLLENS: The Bathinda Vikas Manch on Sunday distributed woollens among the needy students of Government High School,
Bhagu, with help of Mr Gurcharan Singh, a resident of the city. Mr Rakesh
Narula, president of the manch, said 24 students were given sweaters.
OFFICE-BEARERS: The Post Office Bazar Welfare Association has elected Mr Subhash Bansal as its president and Mr Sanjay Singla as its treasurer-cum-secretary.
FEROZEPORE
DIES IN MISHAP: Dr Bhattacharya, Head of the Applied Sciences Department of Shahid Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology, died in a road accident here on Sunday. Dr Bhattacharya (42) is survived by his wife, Dr Chandana Bhattacharya, and a son.
KHANNA
ELECTED: Mr S.S. Vithal, a homoeopathic physician from Khanna, has been elected national vice-president of the “Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians” for the second consecutive term from 2003 to 2005. He was elected at 19th national conference held at Bhubaneshwar which was attended by Dr Vithal and 1,250 other delegates from all over India. The conference was inaugurated by Mr Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa. Mr Patnaik announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the association. He also assured to open 100 homoeopathic dispensaries in the state. Dr Vithal was also nominated a member of the editorial board of ‘Rational Medicine’, official journal of the association.
KHARAR
SUSPENSION SOUGHT: The local BDPO has written to the Director, Panchayats, Punjab, recommending the suspension of the sarpanch of Jagatpur village, Mrs Manjeet Kaur, for allegedly encroaching upon “Gau Charand” of the village and for tampering with gram panchayat records.
POLIO CAMPAIGN: The Rotary Club and the Health Department immunised 4,581 children in Kharar, Khanpur and Mundi Kharar on Sunday. The SDM, Kharar, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Gill, kicked off the drive by administering polio drops to a child.
STIR THREAT: The local SHSAD unit threatened Rasta Roko agitation if the government failed to repair the
Kharar-Landran road by January 31. This was stated in a press note issued here on Friday by Mr Daljeet Singh, president of the Kharar unit.
LUDHIANA
LOHRI CELEBRATED: Rupika Ladies Club celebrated Lohri and New Year at Mariot hotel here on Monday. Even the dense fog could not dampen the spirits of the club members. Ms Meena Girotra, president of the club, in a press note said a huge bonfire was arranged for the club members and their guests on the occasion. Women danced to various beats of dhol and sang many Punjabi songs. Ms Rashmi and Ms Nidhi presented a dance item on popular number ‘Kaliyon ka chaman’, which was well appreciated by the audience. The executive committee members of the club presented bhangra.
AWARDED: It was an encouraging moment for Master Kartik Syal, a student of Nursery section at Sacred Heart Convent School, Sector 39, Chandigarh road, when he received a gold medal for his proficiency. Though Master Syal cannot explain his feelings in words, yet he was overjoyed.
PATIALA
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected the office-bearers of the Senior Citizens and Child Welfare Forum, president — Mr H.S Sethi; vice-president —Mr Vishnu Sharma; general secretary — Mr Kirpal Singh; finance secretary — Mr Gian Chand Jindal; and legal advisor — Mr T.C Jindal.
HONOURED: The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS) honoured Dr Ajmer, Surgeon, and Mr
O.P. Kaushish, social worker and founder of the Janhit Samiti, Punjab, for their contribution to society here on Monday with its annual National Integration award including a memento and cash award to the personalities. Mr
S.K. Sharma, Chief Engineer, PSEB, was the chief guest.
COMPUTER CENTRE: The State Bank of Patiala on Monday established a computer centre at Government Multipurpose Senior Secondary School, Model town, under its community services banking to provide computer education to underprivileged students. Mr Pradeep Shankar, General Manager (Treasury), inaugurated.
UNIFORMS DISTRIBUTED: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Tejveer Singh, distributed winter clothes and uniforms to needy students of 13 schools at a function organised at the District Red Cross Bhavan here on Monday. The function was organised by the Patiala Welfare Society.
PHAGWARA
AGITATION: The PSEB Struggle Committee, Punjab, will hold a demonstration here on January 8 and also block traffic in protest against the privatisation of 29 public sector undertakings, including the PSEB. Disclosing this here on Friday Mr Tarsem Lohia, Circle President, Technical Services Union, PSEB, declared that this would be followed by zonal protests and in case these failed to yield any result then one-day strike would be observed on February 4.