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Shocking Sibling SolidaritySisters, brother end life Protest against forced marriage of sister Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 25 Kamalijit Kaur (25), Paramjit Kaur (22), employee with the Head Post Office here, along with younger brother, Daljit Singh, student of class XI, allegedly consumed some poisonous substance sometime around midnight. Their father Amarjit Singh, a subdivisional clerk with the Public Works Department rushed the badly vomiting and writhing siblings to DMC Hospital. But they could not be saved. Family sources and police officials, investigating the matter, said all three were unhappy with the parents decision to marry their eldest daughter, Kamaljit Kaur. She had passed M. Com recently and was not happy with the bridegroom chosen by the parents. Last evening, the parents finalised her marriage on July 30. The girl was unwilling and her siblings supported her. The three allegedly went into a room and consumed poison. The parents came to know only when the three started vomiting and writhing in pain. DSP Simratpal Singh Dhindsa and SHO Model Town Waryam Singh said the police could conduct proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC. He said though the circumstantial evidence and inquiries indicated that the three committed suicide, the police would register a case of abetment to suicide only when some relatives made a statement to this effect or if some suicide note was found later. The police recorded preliminary statements today as the parents and other relatives were not in a position to talk in detail. The viscera of the deceased, sent for chemical analysis after the post-mortem conducted at local Civil Hospital, could not pinpoint the poison they took. Amarjit Singh yesterday booked Sarabha Nagar Gurdwara for the marriage slated for July 30 |
No to dean’s selection raises a storm
Vimal Sumbly Tribune News Service
Ludhiana July 25 He is understood to have decided to take up the issue with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. On the selection committee were eminent academicians like Dr J.C.Katyal, vice-chancellor of Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Dr Jagroop Singh, vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Dr Gajinder Singh, vice-chancellor of Doon University, Dera Dun. Dr Kang headed the selection panel. The manner in which Dr Grewal’s appointment was questioned and subsequently rejected by the board has raised many an eyebrow. Usually, the board approves all recommendations.The board members are drawn from different walks of life.They guide the university on policy and planning and rarely sit over selections. What has surprised most is that nobody had made a representation against Dr Grewal’s appointment. It was a few board members, for reasons best known to them, who suo moto rejected the selection. They had no problem with other selections. The selection was challenged by none, not even the contenders.There was no consensus on refusal for approval or re-advertising the post. At one stage, voting was suggested to decide the issue. The vice-chancellor could not be contacted for comment. The registrar chose to remain mum. |
Congress shortlists candidates
Vimal Sumbly/TNS
Ludhiana, July 25 The party sources disclosed that the panel had shortlisted candidates on the basis of their ability to win and loyalty to the party. While for most of the wards the party has shortlisted at least three candidates, there are some wards where the panel has shortlisted a single candidate. It took three rounds of marathon meetings by the selection panel members to shortlist the candidates. The last meeting lasted for about seven hours. While it started at around 6 pm yesterday it continued till 1 am today. The names of the shortlisted candidates have been kept a close secret. Although some candidates have already started the campaign the party sources said nothing was certain. The District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban), president, Jagmohan Sharma said, it was the prerogative of the party high command to make the final choice. On the other hand the leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party held a marathon meeting today to sort out the problems over the sharing of wards. The party sources said, there were a few wards on which both parties had laid claim. The meeting was going on till the filing of this report. Although the two parties had broadly agreed to share the wards equally, there were differences over some common wards. The leaders from both the parties disclosed that the meeting was likely to continue till late. Even then, they were not too optimistic about a conclusive outcome and the final decision might be left to the parties’ senior leaders. Both the parties have delayed the announcement of their candidates for the same reason. Otherwise both the parties are understood to have already shortlisted the candidates to be fielded in the elections. |
Excise fraud: 3 govt
employees booked
Ludhiana, July 25 Addressing mediapersons today, SP (Detective) Gurpreet Singh said investigation conducted by Economic Offences Wing in charge Jaswinder Singh and SI Jagjit Singh after the registration of an FIR against industrialists found that they had allegedly duped the excise department with the help of three employees. The employees were Mukhpal Singh and Ranjit Singh, both clerks with the Excise Department. The third was Kuldeep Singh, a junior testing officer with the Punjab Test House. The police officials said Kuldeep Singh had been arrested while other two were absconding. One of the accused industrialist Harbans Lal, owner of Suraj Woolen Mill Pvt Ltd, Dal Bazar, has also been arrested. Both were presented before mediapersons. The polcie said the accused had withdrawn Rs 48 lakh through forged VAT refund voucher. The police has recovered Rs 27 lakh from the arrested accused. AETC M.S. Kundlas told Ludhiana Tribune that the fraud came to light due to alert employees of a bank, who suspected the forged signatures. |
Food street that reminds of Lahore
Ludhiana, July 25 The long lane from Raikhy cinema is full of "dhabas" like Lark, Friends and Shekhupuria. These "dhabas" have all facilities of a restaurant. These have been named "dhabas" only to avoid an extra bit of taxation. Like the Food Street in Lahore, this food street has hundreds of people eating out in the evenings, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays. The dhaba owners of the area have on several occasions urged the Municipal Corporation to declare it as a "food street". According to Nittu of Lark Dhaba, the corporation has not to do much about it. He pointed out that people went out around eight. There is not much traffic on the road at that time. The corporation could conveniently restrict the entry of vehicles through this street after eight. Even the parking is not a problem. The elevated road which runs adjacently has a lot of space under it. People from every section of the society visit this street to eat out. There are particular delicacies also. The "daal" of Friends Dhaba, the non-vegetarian food, particularly the biryani of Lark, "dahi meat" of Dogra Dhaba are famous and mouth watering. During the recent years, the city has seen the coming up of so many elite hotels, starting with Majestic Park Plaza, Fortune Classic (both five star), Country Inn and others. There are famous food joints like KFC and McDonalds in Ansal Plaza. Yet the food street remains the favourite and the most visited by the people. Not just the taste of the delicacies, but the affordability is also one of the important reasons for its popularity. "The prices are reasonable and the quality of food is the best and we provide the best atmosphere within a reasonable price range", said Nittu. Although there are other famous places also in the city where people love to go for eating out but the variety remains here with a number of dhabas concentrated at one place offering a variety of exclusive delicacies. |
At the Crossroads What we need at present are such persons who have independent opinions regarding the problems of life. It is shocking to see people in the grip of superstitious beliefs. To seek cure at the hands of witch doctors is preposterous and to venerate godmen in the hope of some materials gains is disdainful. It is good to move along with people in all spheres of life. Man, of course, is a gregarious animal that prefers to flock together in peace or war. Primarily, the concept of safety is at work, as individually man is a vulnerable creature. But beyond that, it is the desire to learn from one another, so as to enrich one's experience of life, which is at work. Mutual jealousies apart, sangat (congregation) and pangat (sharing community food) have worked wonders in fostering the spirit of equality and fraternity. But to be a maverick is another story. Maverick, as dictionary tells us, is a person who does not behave or think like everyone else, but who has independent, unusual opinions. What we need at present are such persons who have independent opinions regarding the problems of life. It is shocking to see people in the grip of superstitious beliefs. To seek cure at the hands of witch doctors is preposterous and to venerate godmen in the hope of some materials gains is disdainful. Shortly after the Partition, the younger generation got the opportunity to receive good education which had hitherto been denied to the common people. It was hoped that the coming generations would reap a good harvest in this field in the days to come. Education could give a crushing blow to the monsters of ignorance. The poet Sardar Jafri declared, “Juhul se paida huwe hain, ilm se mar jayenge.” (Born in the darkness of ignorance, they would die in the light of knowledge.) Even after 60 years, darkness of ignorance still prevails in the greater part of society. Hopes have been belied as the growth of population has struck at the roots of basic education to all. Now, the ignorant are leading the gullible masses. Mob mentality has gripped the mind of the common man. In utter disregard to logical conclusions, men and matters have been muddled up woefully. Bigotry takes birth when reason is incapable of being a creative force. The so-called tantric practices play havoc with the lives of the innocent persons and their progeny. Likewise, piercing of cheeks with iron rods, walking barefoot on the live coals, feeding idols with milk or communicating with the spirits of the dead are such acts as need universal condemnation. The diehards react in a violent manner as that is the only language they are conversant with. Terror is also used as a weapon for subjugating the enlightened persons. In the field of literature, the mavericks have come up appreciably with commendable contributions. In every age, dominant ideas and new trends grip the minds of the literary persons with intensity. But, before long, time comes when a maverick like William Wordsworth revolts against classical modes of versification. He sets in vogue, for a change, romantic attitude to human aspirations and expectations. Language is liberated from shackles of prosody and verbosity. But then poets like Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning step in to give new dimensions to the English poetry. So the process of change goes on. All thinkers of the world have been mavericks. They were not easily accepted by conservatives and conformists. Resistance took place, retarding for sometime the progress of their ideas. Later, they were considered the harbingers of revolutionary ideas. Time is the only touchstone that establishes the accuracy and credibility of new notions and perceptions. No denunciation of new concepts can put the clock back. Tradition is venerable as it links the past with the present. It also acts as a springboard for plunging into the future. With the passage of time, tradition is modified and enriched. Likewise, culture is not rooted to the spot. It is always vibrant and, at the same time, capable of assimilating new aspects of human behaviour. It cannot retain its primordial form for a long time. Sooner or later, it assumes the shape of eclectic culture or, to be more precise, composite culture. Mere rituals cannot, however, sustain the true character of culture. Imperceptibly, it develops in time and diversifies in space. But it happens only when some persons are declared mavericks as they seek the unbeaten path. — N.S. Tasneem |
Rider on transfer leaves teachers fuming
Ludhiana, July 25 The teachers further added that despite tall claims to fill the vacancies in schools, not a single step had been taken by the government in this direction so far. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Praveen Kumar, general secretary, Government School Teachers Union, Ludhiana, said recently the department had transferred 110 teachers. Out of these transfers, more than 30 teachers had been asked not to join the new place unless and until he or she gave a substitute. He said it was the government's responsibility to provide substitutes, why should teachers face the problems. "Or they should straightaway refuse that transfer was not possible. They are unnecessarily harassing us", he alleged. The teachers said rather than providing more allowances or facilities to them, the government was withdrawing the earlier facilities given to them. The ex-India leave has been stopped recently. President of the district union Jagmel Singh Pakhowal said the teachers could take the leave only on health grounds and that too, approved by the institutions like the PGI. They further added that the Sarv Siksha Abhiyan project should be considered as part of primary education. The teachers have also condemned the government's policy of putting teachers on non-educational duties. They said if they were put on duties other than teaching, then the government must not hold them responsible for poor results. "If we will remain absent for days, the students and studies will definitely suffer a setback. Why should we be blamed for poor results in that case?", asked Praveen Kumar. The teachers also said their delegation would meet the DEO (Schools) on July 27 to present a charter of demands. |
NCC cadets plant saplings
Ludhiana, July 25 Raikhi and Walia told students about the importance of trees and urged them to plant more saplings as it helps in keeping the atmosphere pollution-free and provides fresh air to breathe. |
Muslims offer thanksgiving prayers
Ludhiana, July 25 Addressing a gathering, the Shahi Imam said, Dr Kalam was the third Muslim President of the country but the first Muslim President, who could complete the term. The previous two Muslim President, Fakhr-u-Din Ali Ahmad and Dr Zakir Hussein, had died during the Presidency itself. The Shahi Imam recalled the great vision of Dr Kalam which he had set for the country. He pointed out, “Dr Kalam has earned the love and respect of one billion people of the country.” He observed, had it not been for the petty politics, Dr Kalam would have got a second term. He said while there was no doubt about the common masses wanting him to be the President, even the parliamentarians and legislators in their individual capacity wanted him to be the President. |
Illegal businesses making life tough
Ludhiana, July 25 A resident of the colony, Sukhwinder Singh, said these establishments had created an unhealthy atmosphere in the residential area. Residents say the dairies are existing on Plot No. 4 and 17 and the owners leave their cattle in open to graze, causing inconvenience to the general public. "When we ask the owners to stop or remove this unauthorised business from the housing society, they go to the extent of threatening us with dire consequences. Whenever some officer comes for inspection, the owner greases his palm and the problem continues to be there," said Sukhwinder Singh. The residents of houses near the chicken shops complain of foul smell emanating from there. They say the situation worsened during the rainy days with dirt, garbage and filth all around. "Some of the migrant labourers have even constructed shanties in the area. It has become very difficult to live in such unhygienic conditions", said S.S. Hanspal, a resident of Plot No. 3. "They are running the unauthorised business in connivance with political high-ups. The dairy owners are making life hell for the residents," complained Krishna Wanti, another resident of the colony. There are over 200 plots in the society of 400 square yards each. They are meant to be used for residential purposes. Sukhwinder Singh said that he had made a representation to the deputy commissioner recently. "We urged him to take strict action against these persons. We are leading a miserable life here," said Sukhwinder Singh. |
Three yrs gone, people still face risk
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, July 25 The overbridge is yet to be constructed while the old level crossing from the Lakkar bridge is not feasible after its demolition leaving the commuters high and dry. The flyover, over the old courts, that was conceived as the main connecting point between the old and the new city and would have taken the traffic load straight to the elevated road stands incomplete and abandoned today. The wild vegetation growth on it speaks for itself about the forgotten and broken promises of the successive governments. The SAD-BJP combine, too, seems to have conveniently forgotten the hullabaloos they had raised during elections over the incomplete bridge. They also don’t seem to remember the promises that they had made. Now, with the municipal corporation elections round the corner, a few political parties, especially the SAD-BJP have again started giving assurances of development. Residents and commuters, who either have to take a longer route to cross the level crossings, wish that leaders should start the construction work instead of making promises. The work on the much-talked about elevated road started in 2000 but Rs 51-crore project, completed after six years after jumping several deadlines, did not yield much as it was not connected to the old city as per the original plan. “We are really a disappointed lot. The elevated road has become a problem instead of solving the traffic problem. It has ruined the business of a large number of traders living in its vicinity. We want the candidates to solve the problem before we support him,” said office-bearer of the Ghanta Ghar shopkeepers union Kamarjit Singh. To cap it all, residents of the Civil Lines area are also not happy. The local administration stopped the work more than a year ago. It has become a victim of bureaucratic wrangling. The residents of this area had started a signature campaign in favour of the project. Municipal corporation superintending engineer Dharam Singh said the major hiccup was funds crunch and the corporation could not get the work started. He added that the corporation had to pay for the bridge which was to be constructed by the PWD. It refused to do any work till we sanctioned the money, he added. He added that the corporation had to get a NOC from the Railways also but they would start the procedure of taking the certificate only when they would have money for the project. |
Letters
Ludhiana traffic police officials are not paying any attention to the major traffic problem caused at the squares and traffic lights by wrong parking of vehicles and illegal bus stops. The bus drivers do not park the vehicle on the specially-created diversion road. Instead, they stop the vehicle right in the centre of the slip roads causing major traffic blockages. I want to request SSP R.K. Jaiswal to issue specific orders to the traffic wing for keeping an eye on such illegal bus stops. Abhishek Khanna, Khanna Bhawan, Mall road. Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana. |
10 booked for assault
Jagraon, July 25 The injured man has been admitted in the local civil hospital. Some property dispute is said to be the reason of the assault. In the other, Balvir Singh, Kala, Iqbal Singh, Pritpal Singh, Kuldeep Singh alias Gurwind Singh and Ravinder Singh, all of Jhorraran, allegedly assaulted Amandeep Singh of their village with sharp-edged weapons. Raikot police has registered a case. The injured man was admitted in Civil Hospital, Raikot. No arrest has been made so far in both the cases. Motorcyclist killed Major Singh of Malout (Muktsar) was killed near Pohir village when his motorcycle bearing registration number PB-10BZ-4393 was hit by unknown tractor. Dehlon police has registered a case at the instance of son of the deceased, Gurdeep Singh, against the unknown driver. No arrest has been made so far. 1 held with illicit liquor Karnail Singh of Salempura Tibba was arrested by Sidhwan Bet police from Bhamal village and police recovered 6,930 ml of illicit liquor from his possession. A case under the Excise Act has been registered. |
Haul of intoxicating drugs seized
Ludhiana, July 25 SP, Detective, Gurpreet Singh, said the police had recommended the cancellation of the licence of the chemist to the government as the he was caught selling intoxicants two weeks ago also. The police seized 2,500 tablets, 300 capsules and 36 injections. The chemist managed to flee when the shop was raided. Drug addict Kuldip Singh produced before mediapersons. Barely able to walk and talk, he revealed he was taking a combination of three injections thrice daily to get a kick. The medical hall owner sold the injections at Rs 60 whereas the maximum retail price was Rs 18. He said several other youths like him had resorted to crime to arrange money for drugs. The police seized two "kirch" (long knives) from him apart from the injections. He was caught near the District Courts. The accused had allegedly robbed people at knife point. A stolen scooter was also recovered from. The SP said the accused had stolen vehicles earlier also. He had sold them at a throwaway price to arrange fast money. He was declared proclaimed offender in two cases in Kapurthala, where he had jumped bail after his arrest for snatching. |
Man, son get life term for killing doc
Ludhiana,July 25 Delivering the verdict, the judge held that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges levelled against the accused persons beyond any shadow of doubt that they had murdered doctor Ravinder Kumar following property dispute. A case in this regard was registered on February 2, 2003, under Section 302, 34, 506, Indian Penal Code, and 27 of the Arms Act on the statement of Jatinder Kumar, son of the deceased. He had submitted that his father was an Ayurvedic docter and running a clinic at Khadoor Road. He had alleged that on February 2, 2003, he, along with his father and mother Sontosh Kumari, were returning to their house at about 7 pm. When they turned towards a kachcha rasta leading to their house, Ranjit Singh and his father came from the opposite side. Kala fired a shot in the right side of the head of his father with his 12 bore gun. His father died at the spot. The incident had taken place following a property dispute between them, added the complainant. |
Flamingo Pharma enters North
Ludhiana, July 25 "The market in this region for the pharma industry is as high as Rs 2,000 crore. Our launch in North India is aimed at spearheading our company’s plan to cross the target turnover of Rs 500 crore in the next 3 years. We are targeting a four-fold increase through a two-pronged strategy of entry into the domestic market and leveraging the export opportunity in contract manufacturing," said Ashwin Thacker, MD, Flamingo Pharma, in a press note issued here. In North India, the company has set a target of Rs 20 crore as revenue and a market share of 1per cent annually. It plans to tap the retail market through a network of distributors, along with its field staff. |
Industry seeks better Indo-Pak trade relations
Ludhiana, July 25 The study found that both nations needed to adopt a relaxed visa regime. Currently, both India and Pakistan are providing visas to each other’s citizens for a maximum of six months and with a maximum of three entries. The study suggests, “Both New Delhi and Islamabad should consider issuing multi-entry visas to exporters with at least two-year validity. Such visas could be restricted to registered exporters and a premium fee could be charged for the same.” For exporters, it recommended discontinuation of city specific visas and stated that business visa holders should not be asked to report to police after entering the neighbouring country. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has introduced a drop box visa application facility for business visitors from Pakistan and has been clearing business visas on priority. Authorities in Pakistan need to reciprocate, it added. The study said that in the absence of sufficient land routes, the logistical cost of bilateral trading is very high. Opening up new trade points across the Line of Control and setting up of custom bonded areas along the LoC would provide a solution to this. It further said that the two sides should trade in local currencies by mutually fixing the exchange rate. "Currently all trade transactions between India and Pakistan take place in international currencies and are routed through American or European banks. On an average, these banks charge a fee of US$ 220 for every transaction. If Indian banks are allowed to open branches in Pakistan and vice versa these charges can be significantly reduced." Pointing out that the State Bank of Pakistan does not give permission for payment of technology fees to India, as a result of which, Pakistani companies are currently paying astronomical prices for importing some technologies from western countries that are available in India at low cost. In terms of organising trade shows the study finds that while Indian establishment is willingly facilitating any such shows organised by Pakistan in India, while the Pakistani establishment is not displaying similar enthusiasm.
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Now, get windscreens repaired at home
Ludhiana, July 25 “The technology, equipment and resins, used for the purpose are imported and internationally certified. With its use, a damaged glass can be repaired and looks as good as it was never damaged,” said Abhinav Thakshak,company’s country head. While a new windscreen will cost anything between Rs 4,000 and Rs 36,000, depending upon the vehicle and its make, the repair will cost much less, he added. He said the repairs could be carried out within 30 minutes and a customer could even get it done
at home. Movable machine is used by a trained mechanic for the purpose. The technology will also be beneficial for general insurance companies as it will help in minimising the losses that occur on account screen damages, said Thakshak. “We put forward the concept to a few leading insurance companies, who gave a encouraging response. Using the new technique, customers too will be able to benefit as they can
avail no claim bonus in such cases.” |
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