LivePunjab

68 Young pilots move HC against AI

Harleen Kaur — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:17:51 +0000

New Delhi, July 5: Smelling something fishy in the recruitment process of Air India ( AI), 68 young pilots have made an appeal in the Delhi High Court against AI.

The decision to file a petition against AI was made by the young pilots after it did not declare the results of the job interview conducted nearly 10 months ago.

The young pilots have spent a huge amount in gaining commercial pilot licenses.

The pilots allege that although, they had appeared in the test and the interview held by AI in 2008, yet their results were withheld and applications for the same posts were invited in June this year.

The pilots feel that AI might recruit pilots from some other airlines.

Chemical test for Kalgi- SGPC

Harleen Kaur — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Amritsar, July 5: The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) has called for a chemical test of the ‘Kalgi’ believed to have been worn by the tenth guru of Sikhs, ‘Guru Gobind Singh ji’.

However, any such chemical testing is being opposed by members of the research team comprising Kamaljit Singh Boparai and Harpreet Singh Sidhu, an IPS officer of the Punjab cadre.

“The research team’s conscience and belief did not permit it to take samples or dissecting/cutting material from the Kalgi for chemical tests to ascertain it age etc.

"As the research team is not willing to venture into this area, it is open to Sri Akal Takht Sahib to pursue this option.

Harmony March in Australia to express concern over recent attacks

Harleen Kaur — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:13:34 +0000

Melbourne/Dharamsala, July 5: A ‘Harmony March’ will be held in Melbourne, Oz (Australia) to express solidarity with Indian students community on July 12, informed Michael Danby, the Australian lawmaker.

Danby is in Dharamsala these days along with a six-member Australian parliamentarian delegation.

Danby said, “We are joining the premier of Victoria in a march to express the views of the overwhelming majority of Australians condemning these attacks.

"On July 12 something called the ‘Harmony March’ which will be taking place in Melbourne...will be a public expression of the vast majority of Australians...about these attacks on Indian students.”

Punjab: The week gone by

Jaspreet Virk — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:06:18 +0000

Punjab, June 29 - July 5: Punjab this week witnessed significant developments. Major resignations and appointments took place in the state this week. Then the law and order system of the state underwent an overhaul too.

Apart from this, there is good news from the education front as Punjab has outclassed all other states in school infrastructure index.

Finally, as a respite from soaring mercury levels, monsoon has arrived in the region.

Punjab Budget Session gets under way
Punjab Budget Session of the 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha has commenced in the region from July 3.

The budget estimates for the current fiscal will be presented on July 7, followed by general discussions on July 9, 10 and 11.

Indian expatriates in Gulf appreciate the rail budget

Harleen Kaur — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:15:48 +0000

Dubai, July 4: The railway budget by Mamata Banerjee is being welcomed not only in India but also by Indian expatriates living abroad. Gulf expatriates said, the railway budget by the minister is commendable.

However, they added that there is a need of an increased focus to provide better services to the commuters by the Indian railways.

Efforts should be made to ensure a safe and an enjoyable rail travel for the passengers, they maintained.

According to a leading businessman in Dubai, Kamal Vachani, “Steps taken to boost retail space, security systems and doctors on board long distance trains are certainly welcome steps.”

Vachani also cited the decision of enabling Wi-Fi on trains like Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani.

UGC to introduce an assessment and transfer system

Harleen Kaur — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:09:05 +0000

Pune, July 4: UGC (University Grants Commission) is all set to introduce an ‘Indian equivalence assessment and credit transfer system’ to provide the students with a common method of assessment of grades by various universities in India and abroad.

The aim is to facilitate the transition of student fraternity from one university to another, not only within the country but throughout the world.

According to director of the University of Pune’s (UoP) board of college and university development (BCUD), Pandit Vidyasagar, “This would ensure smooth transition of students at different levels of higher studies, from one university to another within the country and outside.

“As of now, there is no set norm for working out equivalence of grades and transfer of credits,” revealed Vidyasagar.

Mixed response towards railway budget

Harleen Kaur — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:04:53 +0000

Chandigarh, July 4: The recently announced railway budget has aroused a mixed response from the city residents. While some feel it is good, others are disappointed stating that it is biased for Chandigarh.

Many residents feel that dropping the rates of tatkal facility is a commendable job. Moreover, there has been no hike in rail fares in this budget, which is really appreciable.

“The government has done a good job as far as the country as a whole is concerned. Also, steps like no increase in fares and reducing the rate of 'tatkal' facility are commendable,” stated BS Tej, president of Citizens’ Welfare Federation, Mohali.

However, Tej felt bad that the aspect of hygiene in the recently announced rail budget has not been raised.

HC decriminalizes gay sex

Harleen Kaur — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:24:50 +0000

New Delhi, July 3: Finally, a reason to celebrate for the gays in India. As per the latest judgement by the Delhi High Court, gay sex has been decriminalized in the country, thus putting an end to a 149-year-old colonial-era law under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

With the order of Delhi High Court, India has become 127th country to decriminalize gay sex. It is being regarded as one of the biggest achievement by the gay rights in India.

The judgment, which raised many eyebrows from various political and religious groups, reads that Section 377 IPC, which “criminalized consensual sexual acts of adults in private”, had violated the fundamental rights to personal liberty (Article 21 of the Constitution) and equality (Article 14) and prohibition of discrimination (Article 15).

New software to make filing of IT- returns faster

Harleen Kaur — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:20:46 +0000

Chandigarh, July 3: A new software has been programmed to make the process of income-tax returns faster and more convenient. The software named ‘Uttam Sewa’ will be helpful to nearly three lakh income tax payees in Mohali and Chandigarh.

The new software, which is likely to be launched by July 15 in Chandigarh, will make the income-tax filing process much easier and will also help in faster disposal of refund process.

Presently the refund process takes nearly one year. With the help of “Uttam Sewa”, the refund will now be completed within a short span of three months after filing of IT-returns.

School asks girl not to wear a Christian cross

Harleen Kaur — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:16:46 +0000

Lancashire, July 3: A school has asked a girl to take off a Christian cross due to safety and health concerns. However, the same school allows Sikh children to wear bangles as it is part of their religion.

The parents of the girl have accused the school authorities of following double standards. Lauren, the girl student of St. Peter’s CE School in Lancashire was asked to remove a Christian cross.

According to Laina Grimshaw-Brown, mother of Lauren, “We're a Christian family and my children wear the necklaces underneath their tops. On Thursday Lauren was told by a teacher to take it off because apparently they're not allowed to wear jewellery. I could understand it if it was a fashion accessory or a High School Musical necklace, but it's part of our faith.”