Ludhiana, January 17
The flyover on the under-construction expressway along the Sidhwan canal near Dugri, that was “inaugurated” by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on December 17, has been closed to vehicular traffic now.

Reason: The Public Works Department is yet to lay another layer of bitumen on the bridge, as it was “completed” in an apparent hurry because the Deputy CM wanted to inaugurate it before the model code of conduct came into force in the state.

Not only this bridge, but a major part of this project is still incomplete. Even as the state government has fixed a deadline of February for the completion of this Rs 416-crore project, this thing remains far from reality as two rail overbridges are yet to be completed, in addition to some other flyovers along the Sidhwan canal.

The foundation stone of the Rs 416-crore Expressway Project, running along Sidhwan Canal, was laid in 2009 and this 26.9 km four-lane expressway project will provide a carriage way on each side from Doraha to Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road, while providing a bypass for traffic going to Ferozepur.

Sources in the Public Works Department (PWD) said that the flyover near Dugri was “completed” in a hurry, as the Deputy CM wanted to stake claim for this project.

“At that time, the state government knew that the model code of conduct could be imposed anytime (it was imposed on December 24) and that is why, this flyover was completed in a hurry and only one layer of bitumen was laid on it.

After its inauguration, we allowed traffic to move through it but later it was decided to close it to vehicular traffic as some final touches were yet to be given,” said a senior PWD official.

In an apparent tearing hurry to stake his claim to every inch of development in the state before the imposition of the model code of conduct, Sukhbir Singh Badal had inaugurated only two lanes of this four-lane expressway project on December 17.

Not only this, even the indoor stadium on Pakhowal Road remains incomplete despite the fact that several deadlines have been fixed for its completion.

Ludhiana, January 17
Malkit Singh Birmi, Congress candidate from the Atam Nagar constituency, has accused a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and an inspector of influencing the voters in support of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)-Bharatiya Janta Party candidate Hira Singh Gabria.

Birmi, through his counsel Harpreet Sandhu, has also submitted a written complaint in this regard to the Election Commission of India.

Congress party lawyer and former Additional Advocate General Punjab, Harpreet Sandhu, told The Tribune that the DSP and the inspector, both public servants, who are presently posted in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, had misused their official status to influence voters to cast their votes in favour of Hira Singh Gabria, the candidate of the ruling alliance.

“Area residents had brought this matter to the notice of Malkit Singh Birmi. The residents have also submitted an attested affidavit as evidence in this regard. On Monday, the cops were found canvassing in favour of the SAD candidate in the Atam Nagar constituency and were openly influencing the voters to cast their votes in favour of the SAD candidate,” alleged Harpreet Sandhu.

“On the instructions of Hira Singh Gabria, the two public servants have conveyed to certain voters of the Atam Nagar constituency for not supporting the Congress candidate Malkit Singh Birmi and they, also pressurised the voters to cast their votes in favour of Hira Singh Gabria. Both public servants have this way violated the model code of conduct as per issued by Election Commission of India. It is, therefore, requested before your good office that the said police officials may please be transferred immediately for misusing their official status to influence the voters to cast their vote in favour of Hira Singh Gabria in the interest of free and fair assembly elections in this constituency,” read the complaint filed by Malkit Singh Birmi, also a former minister.

Ludhiana, January 17
Politicians turning towards teachings of the Gurus for help in the run-up to elections in not new. However, the latest poll strategy of independent candidates Balwinder Singh Bains and his younger brother Simarjit Bains to include teachings in Guru Granth Sahib in their poll manifes to has snowballed into a controversy.

The SAD and Congress candidates have sharply criticised the move and said that the Bains brothers had deliberately made use of golden words to hog publicity.

"Manas ki Jaat Sabhe, Ek hi Pehchan Bo". Consider whole humanity as the creation one God, the priceless words of Guru Nanak Dev have become the mainstay of the poll manifesto of the Bains brothers in the run-up to the elections. While their detractors have termed the move as populist to woo voters, the brothers have claimed that the writing in the holy book is meant for the betterment of society and they also had the same agenda.

"We did not want to make tall claims like other political parties, who are busy promising the moon to the public. We wanted the manifesto to be simple. We want to work for uplifting the living standards of people and the holy book also teaches the same," said Balwinder Bains.

Taking a jibe at the inclusion of excerpts from Guru Granth Sahib, both Congress candidate Ashok Prashar and SAD candidate Hakam Singh Giaspura said the holy book also teaches tolerance and non-violence, but the track record of Bains brothers, both facing charges of assaulting government employees, says otherwise. Giaspura said the brothers had been ousted from the SAD for their anti-party activities.

Unfazed by the criticism, Balwinder said the holy book preaches the well-being of mankind and that had always been their endeavour.

Balwinder Bains said the poll manifesto would formally be released tomorrow. Both brothers have been allotted election symbols. While elder brother Balwinder Bains is fighting on the election symbol of torch, the younger has been allotted letter box as the election symbol.

Ludhiana, January 17
High drama was witnessed outside a shopping mall on the Ferozepur road when a man was thrashed by bouncers (musclemen) hired by the mall  authorities following a spat here today.

The incident took place in the afternoon when Vicky, a resident of Haibowal, along with his friend and fiance was returning home after visiting the shopping mall.

Later during the day, relatives of the victim staged a dharna in front of the shopping mall and demanded police action against the musclemen hired by the mall authorities.

Vicky, who got seriously injured after the thrashing incident, said he had lodged a complaint to the shopping mall security guards after gold and other valuables lying his car were stolen.

He said the argument turned ugly after the musclemen intervened in the issue. He said without listening to the details of the incident, the musclemen started thrashing him.However, the shopping mall authorities refused to comment on the issue and said the police was probing the matter 

Khanna, December 17
Some families residing in Khanna who migrated from Pakistan are still waiting for Indian citizenship. Such families will have to remain without any voting right in the coming assembly elections. As many as 10 such families have been living in Khanna as Pakistan citizens for the past fifteen years. To add to their misery, they have to inform the police before leaving Khanna to some other place.

Data Ram, a leader of the migrated families, when contacted, revealed their woes when contacted by our correspondent. The majority of the families live on Amloh Road, a locality in Khanna and deal in vegetable trade.

Data Ram revealed that their community members migrated from Kohat area of Pakistan nearly 15 years ago. They settled at Khanna while some of their community members live in different areas of Punjab. He said they had applied for the citizenship several times in the relevant departments in which they told about their problems that they have been facing in the absence of valid Indian citizenship.

Pujari Lal, who earns bread for his migrated family by selling fruits, revealed the same story. He said he has been facing many problems just to get the basic civic amenities for the very reason that they have no Indian citizenship.

On the other hand, when the SDM Khanna was contacted in this regard, she expressed her ignorance in the matter.

However, she said to provide the citizenship to any person is the jurisdiction of the concerned higher authorities. She added that her duty is to supervise the matter and if somebody does not have voter card, she will look into the matter.

Ludhiana, January 17
Director General of school education has released first schedule for the radio programme under Sarva Shiksha Abhiayan of the year. The schedule for eight programmes would be broadcasted on the FM channels including the regional channel FM Jalandhar. The programmes would be broadcasted from February 1 to 10 between 2.10 pm to 2.30 pm.

The programme would have topics like security rules, sources of food, animate and inanimate objects, and ethnic entertainment. "For the children, the programmes like radio and the EDUSAT has to an extent increased the interest for the studies, although a lot needs to be done to make the education," said a government teacher. The teachers also make notes of the programmes and teach the students accordingly. Another teacher said that the duration of the programme is too small. "Children barely come and settle down and by that time the programme gets over," he said. Some other teachers dismiss the radio programme saying there is no point broadcasting for the radio programmes as either the programmes should be made more elaborate or these should rather be added to the EDUSAT as such small segment of the programme on radio doesn't have much relevance.

Ludhiana: The NSS unit of Khalsa College For Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, organised a lecture on 'The Importance Of Voting Rights', here on Tuesday. The main resource person was prof Tarsem Bahia, an educationist who has served in the Syndicate of Punjab University.

Prof Bahia said there can be no effort bigger than making our youth aware of the voting rights, especially, when Punjab polls 2012 are scheduled to be held by the end of the month. He maintained that men and women have come to the center stage in place of any other authority. He also referred to the UNO charter Section 21 that mentions that every citizen was granted right to run the government.

Ludhiana: Guru Nanak International Public School organised an inter-school physics competition. The competition was held for the students of classes XI and XII of as many as 14 schools of the city. Principal Gurmant Kaur Gill said the purpose of this competition was to prepare students for competitive exams such as AIEEE, IIT, PMT, AIIMS and AIPMT.

Ludhiana, January 17
A 36-member delegation from France visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to have the perspective of the Indian agriculture and the innovative farm practices, here today. The delegation members comprised of farmers, scientists and technicians of Triskalia Group, France. The members interacted with PAU experts and visited field areas of the departments of plant breeding and genetics (PBG), agrometeorology, soil science, agronomy and teaching farm of vegetable crops.

Denis Manach, chief executive officer (CEO), Triskalia, and Dominique Ciccone, managing director, Triskalia, said that the prime focus of the visit was to gather know how on promoting modern, competitive and sustainable agriculture for which PAU was well known.

They disclosed that on a global scale, France was the largest European agricultural producer and agriculture was a vital segment of the French economy’s workforce. Food security for present and future generations was one of the building blocks of sustainable development, said Monach, adding that the group assists the farmers in technical, economic, environmental issues and contributes to the social and economic vitality of the rural areas.

Aiming at providing food to men, women and children all over the world, the Triskalia group seeks to promote contemporary farming, reconciling productivity and care for the environment, he said.

Lauding the contribution of the PAU in wiping out food deficiency, the delegation members said their visit to the university aims at acquainting themselves with the way the Indian people survive with second largest population. They also evinced keen interest in agricultural practices followed by the Indian framers.

While conducting the delegation to demonstration plots of new varieties, the head of plant breeding and genetics, Dr MS Gill, said their future emphasis was on the development of specialty maize hybrids/composites and their production and protection technology, breeding for multiple disease and pest resistance, integrated management of nutrients, weeds, water, diseases and pests and development of germplasm suitable for resource conservation.

The experts of soil science, agronomy and agrometeorology shed light on the research activities of their respective departments. Dr US Sidana, head of the department of soil science said the

university had recommended technologies such as Leaf Colour Chart, Tensiometer that save nitrogen and water, respectively. He explained how integrated nutrient management technology was helpful in addressing the deficiency of micro-nutrients in different crops.

Doraha, January 17
Two teachers of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, have won the elections of Academic Council of Panjab Univeristy, Chandigarh. The result of the elections was declared yesterday.

Ludhiana, January 17
The chilled weather is aggravating many skin allergies and skin related diseases. Dr Alka Dogra, professor and head of skin department of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital said, "From dandruff to cracked heels, we receive a large number of patients in the hospital OPD. Chilled weather affects patients of Psoriasis and Scabbies the most. Many patients visit with complaints of flakes on the skin, photo dermatitis (exposed skin gets red and gets cured after it turns up black) itching etc."

However, Dr Bobby Bajaj, a skin specialist at a local hospital said, "The patients of skin keep visiting us throughout the year. But in winters patients with dry eczema and chill-blains are reported the most. However, the bacterial infections go down. So anyone suffering from any of such diseases should get it treated."

Talking about the dandruff, Dr Alka Dogra said, "Usually people start oiling hair if they have dandruff, however, they should avoid it. For producing dandruff sebaceous glands (oily gland) play an important role along with the fungus on our body which is known as P Ovale.

Ludhiana, January 17
The persisting chilly weather is playing havoc with the health of many, particularly schoolchildren, who easily fall victim to it. From bad cold to chest congestion to fever all are plaguing them due to the early morning chill while going to school. Things go worse when parents keep sending sick children to school, who pass on cold and chest congestion to other children.

Dr Pardeep Handa, a city-based paediatrician, said,"The winter season is considered good for health, as most infection-related problems occur when it comes to an end. Usually, most schoolchildren suffer from bad cold and congestion in the winter. If we ask parents of sick children to not send them to school for a day or two, they say," He/she does not take rest at home, so we send him/her to school." But such parents do not realise that a child suffering from contagious diseases like cold makes others also sick by spreading the flu."

Dr Baldeep Singh said,"The schoolchildren, especially in the age-group of four-six years, are at greater risk of getting ill when exposed to extreme cold conditions in the morning."

However, parents have their own tales of woes. Aarti, mother of a class II child, said,” We live at Jamalpur and my son studies at a Sarabha Nagar-based school.

Although the school starts at 9 am, he has to leave at 7.45 am, as he goes to school by van. What is surprising is that most of the window glasses of the van are broken. I have requested the driver many a time in this regard but in vain. That’s why, my son gets exposed to icy winds and falls sick very soon."

An uncarpeted stretch of the Rahon Road, which is a source of headache for residents.

 

Candidates speak Major Issues Pehalwan: Incomplete, inadequate and choked sewers, bad roads. Dhillon: Unplanned and haphazard urban growth, which hampers delivery of civic services and poor urban infrastructure. Poll Plank Pehalwan: Development, educational and sport infrastructure. Dhillon: Basic amenities like roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage and power supply. Poll Promises Pehalwan: Better civic amenities, at least one government college and one sports complex. Dhillon: Overall development and improved delivery of civic amenities, complete coverage of beneficiaries intended under social welfare schemes. What makes you a better candidate? Pehalwan: Born and brought up in the area. Better placed to understand and address the problems of the people. Long political career and involvement in public welfare activities through a charitable trust. Dhillon: Nearly two decades of public life and close rapport with electorate. Chances of winning Pehalwan: One hundred per cent as people are with us and workers are going all out to mobilise voters. Dhillon: Hundred and one per cent as others in the fray have no worthwhile achievements to their credit.

The Patanjali Yog Samiti and the Bharat Swabhiman Trust, being run by Baba Ramdev, announced on Tuesday that it would support BJP candidate Rajinder Bhandari from the Ludhiana-West constituency. This was stated by Krishan Lal Gupta, state president of the samiti, at a press conference. Asked as if the samiti would also support BJP candidates in the state, he said, “Instead of supporting a particular party, we are supporting Bhandari due to his good reputation.”

Like other young professionals, dental professionals in the making at Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College and Research Institute debunk the political system, call the elections a farce and level charges of corruption against government functionaries.

On the positive side, they have not lost hope and cite some of the major infrastructure development projects in the city as well as in this particular Assembly segment as a flicker of light at the end of dark tunnel.

Prabhjot and Mandeep, third-year students of BDS at the college, say some flyovers have come up, new bridges have been constructed and six-laning of the GT Road hold a lot of promise for the people.

“There ought to be more focus on poor people and thrust on development of educational and healthcare infrastructure, which remain the most neglected areas,” they emphasise.

Their classmates, Prabhjot Sanghera, Jogjatan Khurana and Sushant, want radical reforms in higher and professional education.

“Massive ills plaguing professional education, like management-quota seats and capitation fee, should be effectively dealt with. Merit ought to be the sole criteria for filling up seats in professional educational institutions,” they say.

They want totally transparent governance, adequate funds for infrastructure development and a mass transport system for the city.

SPORTS

Poor arrangements, cold weather upsets athletes
Gurvinder Singh
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 17
A student-athlete from Mysore, who is in the city for 57th National School Games Athletics Meet, asked if there is any lodge nearby showing the mat in the classroom where they stayed last night. "The weather was okay back in Karnataka but here, it is very cold. And we have been given these mats and cold classrooms to stay," she rued. Another student from Bangalore said there is not even proper washroom facility and food. "So we are looking for an affordable lodge to stay during the games."

Coming from different parts of the country, many are in for an unpleasant and cold surprise. As the classrooms of government schools have been allocated to them for their lodging during the week-long games. More than 4000 athletes were expected to participate in the meet.

"Weather was expected to improve after Lohri, but it continues to be inclement and unpleasant," said a government school teacher. So it has become difficult for the students to manage in such a weather, he said.

The students from Uttrakhand complained that there were not enough blankets and mattresses. As many as 25 athletes were staying in a single classroom.

Already facing infrastructural problems, many of the classrooms in the government schools are not in a hospitable condition. Windows panes in some of the classrooms are broken, exposing the athletes to cold at nights.

"These classrooms were never meant for the night-stay. The students can manage during the day, but during the night time, it becomes difficult," a teacher from another host school said.

Mattresses and quilts were sent to a school in the afternoon. The team from Rajasthan spent last night without the mattresses.

A teacher said the students were expected to arrive late at night today, but they have arrived a night earlier yesterday, taking into account the journey hiccups and train delays. One of the students complained that at least beds had to be arranged and in place before their arrival.