Tributes were paid to former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh at a prayer meeting organised by the Desh Bhagat Yadgari Society to mark his 15th martyrdom day, at Rajguru Nagar here today.

Recalling the valiant fight launched by the slain Chief Minister against terrorism in this border state, Krishan Kumar Bawa, president of the society, and a former president of District Congress Committee, said Beant Singh had made the supreme sacrifice for restoration of peace in Punjab and to safeguard the unity and integrity of the country. Bawa and other speakers at the meeting said that terrorism and separatist elements were once again rising their heads but the government was closing their eyes to such nefarious activities that could threaten the peace and communal harmony in the state.

Meanwhile, Functionaries of the District Mahila Congress paid tributes to former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh at a "shardhanjali samaroh" organised at the Congress Bhawan to mark the martyrdom day of the leader here today.

Addressing the meeting, district president of the party Leena Taparia said it was because of the sacrifice made by the then chief minister that the people moving around fearlessly all over the state. Terming the leader as a huge source of inspiration for the party workers, she said he had laid down his life in the war against terrorism.

The Mahila Congress chief said a large number of political leaders, including many from the Congress, had fell down to the bullets of militants during more than a decade long dark days in the state, but it was the commitment with which the government led by Beant Singh fought against the separatist and radical forces, that peace could ultimately return to Punjab. Taparia along with other activists of the party paid floral tributes at the portrait of Beant Singh.

Lending a helping hand to needy girl students and helping them achieve their dreams, an NGO, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shivaji branch, gave scholarships to 76 meritorious needy girls at a function held at SD Kamla Lohtia College here today.

The event was presided over by Ashok Gupta, state convener, environment, while Bishan Swaroop Chopra was the chief guest.

President Suman Gupta, secretary Sunita Nohris, cashier Pawan Bansal, project convener Rashmi Sehgal, Narinder Bangia and Jahraj Gupta welcomed the guests. A cultural programme was also held. Project director Randhir Sharma said the NGO had been helping the needy girl students for the past many years to help them continue with their studies.

Meanwhile, at another function held at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Udham Singh Nagar, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Tagore branch, honoured 117 meritorious students of Class X (PSEB) from 18 schools of the city.

The students were given mementoes and certificates of merit by chief guest Sushil Maini, MD, Jai Bhole Steel Strips. Parents of top three position holders and principals of BCM Senior Secondary School, Focal Point; and RS Model School were also honoured for their contributions in the success of these students.

BCM Senior Secondary School principal Mangat Ram Mehta appreciated the NGO for encouraging the meritorious students. Bharat Vikas Parishad Charitable Trust secretary RP Gupta gave a message of “Save water, save life” to audience.

Also present were other members of the parishad, including district president, Dr JR Kaushal; district secretary Neelam Gupta; president of Tagore branch, Dr Vijay Laxmi Kapur; BR Maria, Adarsh Kundra, Prem Jain, Dr Babita Jain, trust president, Dr Kuldip; RP Gupta, Madan Bassi, JC Kapur and office-bearers of various branches of the parishad.

A free screening camp for poor patients requiring free knee and hip replacement under the proposed project “Operation Walk” was conducted today at DMCH.

A total of 100 patients were screened during the camp. In view of the overwhelming response of the patients in today’s camp, more free screening camps will be held by the department of orthopaedics, DMCH, in September.

In its effort to create a significant contribution toward the care of patients in need of advanced surgical orthopaedic treatments, DMCH in collaboration with Rubin Institute, USA, is launching “Operation Walk” for providing free hip and knee replacement surgeries for the poor patients.

Professor and head of orthopaedics, Dr Mohammad Yamin said the “Operation Walk” was a private, non-profit, volunteer medical service organisation that provided free surgical treatment for patients in developing countries, who had disabling arthritis or other debilitating bone and joint conditions, that had little to no access to life-improving care.

The orthopaedic surgeons at DMCH and team members from Rubin Institute, USA, will be constantly upgrading themselves in advanced surgical techniques, treatments for diseases and recovery procedures of hip and knee joint conditions.

Mata Kaulan Ji Bhalai Trust of Amritsar organised a two-day religious examination at Nanakana Sahib Public School in which 4,000 students took part. According to organisation’s president Lakhvir Singh Balala, a seven-year-old speech challenged boy Balbir Singh of Jharr Sahib village was specially honoured for writing “Waheguru” one lakh times.

Abdul Rehman called “fateh” and presented several ‘sakhies’ orally. About 1,500 sampling were also distributed among participants along with certificates.

SGPC member Jathedar Kirpal Singh Khirnian and a few other religious leaders of the area were present on the occasion.

A 10-member team of the Christian Medical College Ludhiana organised a screening camp for detection of breast and cervical cancer at Giana village in Bathinda district.

Edwina Mountbatten Trust (UK) through Friends of Ludhiana (UK) had granted funds to Betty Cowan Research and Innovation Centre at the CMCH. The project was initiated to cover rural women in select villages where cases of death due to cancer had been reported.

Women teachers of the village were roped in to spread awareness about the project. Tests were conducted free of cost and the samples will be tested at the CMCH.

Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in association with Rubin Institute, USA, will launch “Operation Walk” to offer free hip and knee replacement surgeries to poor patients.

Dr Mohammad Yamin, professor and head of orthopaedics, said “Operation Walk” was a private, non-profit, volunteer medical service organisation that provided free surgical treatment to patients with disabling arthritis or other debilitating bone and joint conditions in developing countries.

Orthopaedic surgeons of the DMCH and a team of Rubin Institute would update themselves in advanced surgical techniques, treatment for diseases and recovery procedures for hip and knee joint conditions.

The organisation has so far operated on more than 3,000 patients in Russia, Cuba, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador and the US.

The DMCH has started registering poor patients for free hip and knee replacement surgeries.

The DMCH will regularly organise awareness camps with the help of charitable organisations in various parts of the state.

Knee and hip replacements are among the most cost-effective medical procedures, which greatly enhance the quality of life of those suffering with arthritic pain and thus, enabling them to be more active members of their community, added Dr Pankaj Mahindra, assistant professor of orthopaedics.

The collaboration will involve joint activities in areas of research and training including video-conferencing and telemedicine, clinical fellowship and lecturer exchange programme, joint clinical studies and establishing charity care.

Earlier this year, Dr Paul Khanuja, director of hip and knee replacement surgery, Rubin Institute, and medical director of “Operation Walk”, Maryland, visited the DMCH and examined various medical facilities, including outpatient department, operation theatre complex and supportive services, at the hospital.

Ludhiana industry in general and the bicycle and bicycle parts manufacturing industry in particular, has thanked Manish Tewari, local MP, for getting additional 2 per cent bonus on the export of bicycles and its parts.

Recently, Tewari along with a few local industrialists had met Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma before the finalisation of the EXIM (export and import) policy on August 12, 2010. The delegation had pleaded for the additional bonus for this sector.

Consequent to this, in the EXIM policy released by the minister in New Delhi yesterday, bicycle and bicycle parts manufacturing industry had been included in the “focus product scheme.”

In other words, it means that there will now be 4 per cent bonus on the exports of the bicycle parts, instead of the current 2 and 7 per cent on the export of bicycles instead of the current 5 per cent.

This will obviously boost the bicycle, its parts and auto parts manufacturing industry in the city. Expressing their gratitude to Tewari in a joint statement, the city industrialists maintained that this measure would go a long way in improving and enhancing the industrial output of the city, which means generation of additional revenue and additional jobs and a better economic and financial position.

As many as 30 physically challenged persons were given free prosthetics, calipers and hearing aids at the 825th free “viklang sahayata camp” organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad (Swami Vivekanand branch) at Rishi Nagar here today.

Chief guest of the function Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander, director, Hero DMC Heart Institute, who presented the prosthetics and other aids to the physically challenged persons for their rehabilitation, lauded the service being done by the parishad with commitment and dedication to the cause of disabled persons.

Hari Om Jindal, president of the BVP, while welcoming the chief guest, explained in detail the work being done, along with future programmes for providing relief and rehabilitation to the physically challenged people.

Suraj Jyoti, secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad Trust, and RP Gupta exhorted people for judicious use of water and natural resources.

As many as 30 physically challenged persons were given free prosthetics, calipers and hearing aids at the 825th free “viklang sahayata camp” organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad (Swami Vivekanand branch) at Rishi Nagar here today.

Chief guest of the function Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander, director, Hero DMC Heart Institute, who presented the prosthetics and other aids to the physically challenged persons for their rehabilitation, lauded the service being done by the parishad with commitment and dedication to the cause of disabled persons.

Hari Om Jindal, president of the BVP, while welcoming the chief guest, explained in detail the work being done, along with future programmes for providing relief and rehabilitation to the physically challenged people.

Suraj Jyoti, secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad Trust, and RP Gupta exhorted people for judicious use of water and natural resources.

Kila Raipur Zone emerged champions in the U-14 category during the Inter-Zonal District Football for girls organised by the education department at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar branch, here today. PAU Zone secured the second place.

In the U-17 category, Ludhiana Zone II, romped home victorious, while PAU Zone finished at second place. In the U-19 category, Raikot Zone won the title, while Kila Raipur Zone stood second.