The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Amritsar PLUS
Two murder cases cracked
Amritsar, November 5
Illicit relations have become a major cause of heinous crimes such as murders if recent instances are anything to go by.
The murder accused in police custody in Amritsar on Monday. Photos: Vishal Kumar
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Improvement trust works hit
Outer wall of GND Hospital broken again
The illegal passage spotted after the breaking of the boundary wall of the GND Hospital, giving an easy access to chemists’ shops in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Man with a mission: Travelling from UK in aid of cancer patients
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Even as the city Mayor contemplates to file even an FIR against those who damage government properties, some medicine store operators in the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital complex, on Majitha road, do not refrain from repeatedly demolishing the outer wall of the GND Hospital so as to draw customers to their shops.
“It was a dream that took shape almost three years ago when I announced to my wife 'Eureka it’s time to drive from the UK to India'." This excerpt is from Inderpal Singh’s personal notes in which he has documented his "unbelievable task". The UK-based businessman, who lost his father-in-law and a dear friend to cancer, is fighting for the cause in his own way. By undertaking a journey through the "Silk Route” to spread awareness and garner support about the disease.
Inderpal Singh
'Saanjh' concludes at Pul Kanjari
North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival from tomorrow
KCPS students win comedy competition
The 58th Punjab School Games being inaugurated at Khalsa College Senior Secondary School in Amritsar on Monday. A Tribune photo
Miscreants robbing residents after fooling them
The alleged vehicle lifter in police custody in Amritsar on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Amritsar, November 5
With the combined efforts of Punarjyot, Amritsar, and Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore, the concluding function of
"Saanjh" was held at Pul Kanjari, Dhanoa village, Amritsar, situated midway between Amritsar and Lahore.
Sai Zuhoor performs at the concluding ceremony of “Saanjh” at Pul Kanjari in Amritsar. A Tribune photograph
Amritsar, November 5
Guru Nanak Dev University is all set to host the 28th North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival. The festival would be organised from November 7 to 11 under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities
(AIU), New Delhi, and hosted by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Amritsar, November 5
Rankirat Singh and Luvpreet Singh, both students of Khalsa College Public School
(KCPS), have brought laurel to their school by winning the first positions in the state-level Standing Comedy Competition, organised here by the Child Security and Cultural Centre on the issue of "Child
labour".
Punjab School Games begin
Amritsar, November 5
The 58th Punjab School Games began amid fanfare at Khalsa College Senior Secondary School here today.
Amritsar, November 5
Anti-social elements are using new ideas to rob vulnerable residents of their valuables and cash. The recent instances, wherein they robbed some residents of their belongings, indicate to be so.
2 held with stolen motorcycles
Amritsar, November 5
The city police has arrested two persons who allegedly used to steal motorcycles from various parts of the city and sell these after forging documents. The police recovered 12 motorcycles, besides 400 gm of narcotic powder from their possession.
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Holy city turns into gambling
den during festive season
Amritsar, November 5 The illegal practice, where stakes run into lakhs, is flourishing in renowned hotels of the city and some farmhouses located on the outskirts. It was an appreciable move of the Amritsar police to raid the house of a SAD councillor in the Islamabad area recently to bust a gambling racket. This instance has, meanwhile, cemented the belief that even the homes, located either in posh or slum localities, are the preferred places for organising gambling sessions. By law, it is an illegal act and the persons involved in it should be booked under the Gambling Act. Interestingly, a majority of the hotels here have politicians as their managing partners. What significance the rules would hold for them could be anybody’s guess? Another startling fact which has come to light is that the hoteliers are not refraining from organising gambling in connivance with some metropolitan gambling organisers, who move to "little sensitive” places during the festive season. A number of hoteliers are renting out their rooms to gamblers on an hourly basis. In return, they charge four-fold rent for rooms used for gambling. This also ensures the sale of their food and liquor. At two renowned hotels located at Ranjit Avenue, the suites are being rented out. To gain entry, you would have to buy the entry pass in advance, of course through some “reference” after shelling out Rs 1,000 per person. One suite would accommodate around 25 people on three tables. This implied a net income of Rs 25,000 per day for a suite which comes between Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000 on normal days. Interestingly, a hotel located on the Albert road is just a few metres from the Circuit House and the police station. This hotel is organising “khaal” twice a day. Modus operandi to escape law
Gambling has taken the shape of a well-entrenched business. An interesting aspect is that no currency would be visible on the table. Rather, the play would go on through "counters" (plastic coins), having different values in terms of rupees. Whatever you are left with, after leaving the table, would be your "gain" or "loss". Variety of games
The top item on residents’ agenda these days is “teen patti” (flash), Mang patta (ask for a card), rummy and “khaal”. Interestingly, women are very interested in gambling, which has picked up. They gather in houses or classified hotels, restaurants or clubs in the name of "tambola" party or "kitty" party. Busting such a network, thus, becomes hard for the police too. Out of the three, “khaal” is the most sought-after one for bringing an instant win or loss. Gambling myths
Even though it is undoubtedly an offence both on part of the organisers as well as the participants, some call it an unusual past time or refer to it as a tradition during the festive season. Some believe that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, smiles Offenders have a free run
There is little provision for stringent punishment for those who are booked under the Gambling Act. Since it’s a bailable offence, the wrong-doers escape without any hassles after furnishing some "formalities". The number of cases in the police records holds little significance for them and they continue to indulge in it again. Major instances in the past
Even as open gambling sessions, as were organised in the past, could not be witnessed this time, apparently due to rigorous police raids, some feel that the organisers are sceptical due to the October 2011 raid conducted at a resort on the Fatehgarh Churian road bypass, where the police claimed to have recovered Rs 7.40 lakh from the spot from as many as 125 couples belonging to well-off families. They had reportedly procured tickets at the cost of over Rs 5,000 each. Officialspeak
Police Commissioner Ram Singh: We are bound to take action against the offenders as the law permits. We have formulated special teams to keep a vigil on such activities. We have some vital tip-offs about orgainsed gambling at some of the places. We are conducting raids at random and if such a practice comes to our notice, it would be dealt with sternly, irrespective of the position of the organisers or the participants.
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North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival from tomorrow
Amritsar, November 5 More than 1,200 students from 30 universities from all over Northern India are expected to participate in the mega event. (Clockwise from top left) Jasbir Jassi, Amrinder Gill, Sarabjit Cheema, Roshan Prince and Satinder Satti. |
Registrar Dr Inderjit Singh said Punjab Governor and Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University Shivraj V. Patil would be the chief guest at the inaugural function, while Sikandar Singh Maluka, Punjab Minister of Higher Education and Languages, would presided over the valedictory function on November 11 and give away trophies and certificates to the winners.
Alumni of the university and world-famous folk singers - Jasbir Jassi, Amrinder Gill, Sarabjit Cheema, Roshan Prince and Satinder Satti - would specially participate in
the festival.
The festival would start with a cultural procession of participating students from Guru Nanak Bhawan to the sports grounds of the university.
Dr Jagjit Kaur, Director, Youth Welfare, said competitions in music, theatre, dance, literary and fine arts would be organised during the five-day festival. She said eminent personalities related to film industry, music, theatre and fine arts were also expected to attend the festival.