No to insecure and hostile work environment

27-February-2013 18:49 IST
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace 
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women

Courtesy Photo

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 26th February 2013. Lok Sabha has passed it in September 2012.Sexual Harassment at workplace is a violation of women’s right to gender equality, life and liberty. It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women’s participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. However, there is no domestic law to address this issue except a few provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Supreme Court Guidelines in the case of Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan. The increasing work participation rate of women has made it imperative that a comprehensive legislation focusing on prevention of sexual harassment as well as providing a redressal mechanism be enacted.
The salient features of the Act are as follows:
(i)        It defines “sexual harassment at the workplace” in a comprehensive manner, in keeping with the definition laid down in the Vishaka judgment, and broadening it further to cover circumstances of implied or explicit promise or threat to a woman’s employment prospects or creation of hostile work environment or humiliating treatment, which can affect her health or safety.
(ii)       The definition of “aggrieved woman”, who will get protection under the Act is extremely wide to cover all women, irrespective of her age or employment status, whether in the organised or unorganised sectors, public or private and covers clients, customers and domestic workers as well.
(iii) While the “workplace” in the Vishaka guidelines is confined to the traditional office set-up where there is a clear employer-employee relationship, the Act goes much further to include organisations, department, office, branch unit etc in the public and private sector, organized and unorganized, hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, sports institutes, stadiums, sports complex and any place visited by the employee during the course of employment including the transportation.
(iv)      Definition of employee covers regular/temporary/ad hoc/daily wage employees, whether for remuneration or not and can also include volunteers. The definition of employer includes the head of the Government department/organisation/institution/office/branch/unit, the person responsible for management/supervisions/control of the workplace, the person discharging contractual obligations with respect to his/her employees and in relation to a domestic worker the person who benefits from that employment.
(v) The redressal mechanism provided in the Act is in the form of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Local Complaints Committee (LCC). All workplaces employing 10 or more than 10 workers are mandated under the Act to constitute an ICC. The ICC will be a 4 member committee under the Chairpersonship of a senior woman employee and will include 2 members from amongst the employees preferably committed to the cause of women or has experience in social work/legal knowledge and includes a third party member (NGO etc) as well.
(vi)  Complaints from workplaces employing less than 10 workers or when the complaint is against the employer will be looked into by the LCC. A  District Officer notified under the Act will constitute the LCC at the district level. LCC will also look into complaints from domestic workers.
(vii) LCC will be a five member committee comprising of a chairperson to be nominated from amongst eminent women in the field of social work or committed to the cause of women, one member from amongst women working in block/taluka/tehsil/manicipality in the district, two members of whom at least one shall be a woman to be nominated from NGOs committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues related to sexual harassment provided that at least one of the nominees should preferably have a background in law or legal knowledge. The concerned officer dealing with the social welfare or women and child development shall be an ex officio member.
(viii)  A complaint of sexual harassment can be filed within a time limit of 3 months. This may be extended to another 3 months if the woman can prove that grave circumstances prevented her from doing the same.
(ix) The Act has a provision for conciliation. The ICC/LCC can take steps to settle the matter between the aggrieved woman and the respondent, however this option will be used only at the request of the woman. The Act also provides that monetary settlement shall not be made a basis of conciliation. Further, if any of the conditions of the settlement is not complied with by the respondent, the complainant can go back to the Committee who will proceed to make an inquiry. 
(x)  The Committee is required to complete the inquiry within a time period of 90 days. On completion of the inquiry, the report will be sent to the employer or the District Officer, as the case may be, they are mandated to take action on the report within 60 days.
(xi) In case the complaint has been found proved, then the Committee can recommend action in accordance with the provision of service rules applicable to the respondent or as per the rules which will be prescribed, where such service rules do not exist. The committee can also recommend deduction of an appropriate sum from the salary of the respondent or ask respondent to pay the sum. In case the respondent fails to pay such sum, district officer may be asked to recover such sum as an arrear of land revenue.
(xii) In case the allegation against the respondent has not been proved then the Committee can write to the employer/district officer that no action needs to be taken in the matter.
(xiii) In case of malicious or false complaint then the Act provides for a penalty according to the Service Rules. However, this clause has a safeguard in the form of an enquiry prior to establishing the malicious intent. Also, mere inability to prove the case will not attract penalty under this provision.
(xiv) The Act has provisions for providing reliefs to the aggrieved woman in the interim period including leave and transfer during the pendency of the inquiry.
(xv) The Act prohibits disclosure of the identity and addresses of the aggrieved woman, respondent and witnesses. However, information regarding the justice secured to any victim of sexual harassment under this Act without disclosing the identity can be disseminated.
(xvi) The Act casts a responsibility on every employer to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. Employers are required to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees about the provision of this legislation and display notices regarding the constitution of Internal Committee, penal consequences of sexual harassment etc.
(xvii) An employer will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000 in case of violation of his duties under the Act and in case of subsequent violations the amount of fine will be double together with penalty in the form of cancelation of his licence, withdrawal or non-withdrawal of the registration required for carrying out his activity.
(xviii) In case of domestic worker the procedure is different considering the nature of employment. A domestic worker can approach the LCC in case of any complaint. If the complainant wishes then conciliation may be carried out. However, in other cases if the complaint is proved prima facie then the LCC can forward the complaint to the police for registering the case and taking appropriate action under the relevant provision of IPC. 
(xix) Regarding monitoring, the Act provides that the State Governments will monitor implementation and maintain data for all State Government establishments as well as private establishments in their territory. For establishments of the Central Government this duty is cast on the Government of India.  All ICCs have to submit Annual reports to the employer who inturn will submit it to the district officer. All LCCs shall submit their annual report to the district officer. The district officers will submit the report annually to the State Governments.
(xx) The Central and State Governments are mandated to develop relevant IEC and training materials and organise awareness programmes to advance the understanding of the public on the provisions of this Bill.
(xxi) The Central Government will provide financial assistance to the States to meet the expenditure of fee and allowances payable to the members of the Local Complaints Committee. (PIB)  Sexual Harassment prevention Bill passed
***

National Stroke Conference in Ludhiana

Sun, Feb 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM
250 delegates from India will be participating

Ludhiana, 25 Feb.2013:(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria): The department of Neurology at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana is organizing the 8th National Stroke Conference of Indian Stroke Association from March 1st to 3rd in Hotel Park Plaza. Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian the Organizing Secretary mentioned that about 250 delegates from all over India will be participating in the conference. He also added that 16 International and 25 National faculty will be delivering talks on various aspects of stroke in the conference. The honourable Health and Family Welfare Minister of Government of Punjab ShriMadan Mohan Mittal will be the Chief Guest during the Inauguration of the conference on March 1st at 5 pm. Dr Abraham G Thomas Director of CMC and the Patron of the conference lauded the efforts of the department of Neurology in bringing this conference to Ludhiana.

A special session on ABC of stroke is being planned on March 1st focusing on neurology trainees, physicians and general practitioners.  Dr Yashpal Singh the joint Organising Secretary mentioned that the latest advances in stroke treatment like clot bursting therapy (thrombolysis) will be discussed in the meeting.  Sessions on newer technologies and treatments will be the highlight of March 2nd program.  On March 3rd there will be a symposium on research and ongoing clinical trials in the area of stroke. The approach to long term problems after a stroke will be dealt in the last session of the conference.

There will be two parallel programs during the conference. On March 1st there will be a three hours teaching course on “Stroke”in the CMC Hospital auditorium for the MBBS students, junior doctors and Nurses. On March 2nd and 3rd a National skills workshop is being arranged in CMC Hospital auditorium on Stroke rehabilitation. This is for students, physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists. This workshop is being organised by Dr Santosh Mathangi, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and College of Physiotherapy (Mr Dheeraj KV and Mrs Benjamin, Vice-Principals).

The registration for the conference is still open and the organising committee has subsidised the registration fee for Physicians and Indian Medical Association members. Ten credit hours will be available from the Punjab Medical Council. The details are available in the conference website:  www.isacon2013.org

National Stroke Conference in Ludhiana

CPI Press Note on GLADA

Where was GLADA when these colonies were  coming up?

Ludhiana(Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna)Reacting sharply to GLADA’s declaring 12oo colonies as unauthorized, the Communist Party of India Distt. Ludhiana questioned where was GLADA when these colonies were  coming up? Now when the common people have purchased land and built houses out of their hard earned money, the GLADA has declared them unauthorized. The private colonies are coming up because the government has no housing policy for the common people. In a statement issued here today Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Distt. Secretary, Dr.Arun Mitra & Com D P Maur – Asstt. Secretaries and Com Ramesh Rattan – City Secretary of the party said that earlier the government and the administration connived with the colonizers and let these colonies come up, but  now when common people have built up their houses the GLADA is declaring them unauthorized and without providing any alternative asking the people not to buy land in these colonies. This is totally wrong and injustice to the common people. What is needed now is that the required facilities as per GLADA’s rules should be ensured to the residents of these without any burden on the people living there. In the future GLADA should construct houses for the needy people which should be provided by lottery system. The system of auctioning should be discontinued as it facilitates only the rich people to buy land there.  
Dr Arun Mitra                                                           Date: 23.02.2013
Asst. Secretary
Mobile: 94170 00360

Speed fund Scheme

Pb. Sports Department has decided to conduct trials

Ludhiana:(Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna)Punjab Sports Department has decided to conduct trials for Speed fund Scheme, Sports Academies and different Sports Wings for boys and girls (Schools) for the year 2013-14. The trials for the Speed Fund Scheme shall be conducted at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana on  February 26th 2013 and Registration for the trials will be started at will start at 8 AM. Sharp at District Sports Office, Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana as stated by Kartar Singh Sehamby, District Sports Officer, Ludhiana.  Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Cycling, Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic), Judo, Lawn Tennis Table Tennis, Weight Lifting and Wrestling  have been included in Speed Fund Scheme.
Players who secured one of the first three positions (1st , 2nd  or 3rd  place) in Sub. Junior/Junior State Championships or Sub. Junior National/Junior National Championships and  their age should be between 13 to 18 years as on 31-12-2013 will be eligible for the trials. The selected stuff will get Rs. 5500/- per month per player for diet, equipments, education, medical and transportation etc. and will be placed at the sports centre equipped with all modern facilities of their own choice in the state. They also will get facility to participate in all National and International competitions and a sum of Rs. 10,000/- yearly for their kit. 
The department has constituted different committees headed by the International Sports Personalities for the smooth and faire conduct of the trials.                     -----

Movement against levying of Property Tax

Aam Aadmi Party will meet delegation on 26th

Ludhiana(Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna):The efforts of the Aam Aadmi Party have borne fruit with the Municipal Corporation Zone A Commissioner deputing a delegation of Deputy Directors of Local Bodies to hear the objections which have been raised against imposition of Property Tax.  A meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party members with the delegation will take place on the 26th of this month. 
It is to be noted that protest against the proposed Property Tax became a big issue when the Aam Aadmi Party raised objections to it and submitted a memorandum along with starting a signature campaign in which thousands of citizens of the district participated. “The new property tax will be an additional huge burden on the shoulders of the common man who is already suffering greatly due to high inflation” said Party District Convenor Mr. Harjot Singh. 
The Aam Aadmi Party Awareness campaign resulted in 122 individuals also filing objections to the Property tax in the last 5 days after the party made it an issue of concern for the aam aadmi. AAP will be putting up the perspective of the common man in front of the delegation giving a voice to some serious issues like misuse of already collected funds and rampant corruption which need to be controlled rather than imposition of the new tax. Copies of the signatures collected will also be handed over to the delegation. 
“We will strongly urge the government to revoke its decision on levying of Property tax but if the delegation dismisses all our objections and does not pay serious attention to revoking this new taxation, the Aam Aadmi Party will launch a massive campaign in the city”, said Mr. Balbir Aggarwal, District Secretary.                                                       ====

The nationwide strike call on 2nd day

Workers jammed the railway track and held a rally

The nationwide strike call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions and various independent federations, unions and associations had an effective participation on the second day today. The workers affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), INTUC, BMS, CTU, TUCC and CITU observed strike today in their respective industries and other institutions and thereafter they gathered at Bus stand from where they marched to the Provident Fund Office in Sham Nagar. After that workers in Thousands went to the Loco Diesel Shed and jammed the railway track and held a rally. Today’s protest rally  was presided over by Com Om Parkash Mehta - AITUC, Com Jatinder Pal Singh of CITU and  Shri Swaran Singh of INTUC, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh Nageshwar Singh of BMS, Shri Sham Narain Yadav of TUCC. Speaking on the occasion state leaders Com Raghunath Singh, General Secretary of CITU Punjab,  Com. Inderjeet Singh- President CTU Punjab, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh. Swaran Singh- President INTUC Punjab, Hari Singh Sahni-TUCC and Com D P Maur member state working committee AITUC.
The speakers said that yesterday’s strike was a complete success and it reflected the growing resentment among the working class against the anti people policies of the government.  They demanded minimum wages to be fixed by the Punjab Govt. @ for unskilled workers Rs 10,000, Semi Skilled 15,000, Skilled workers 20,000 per month, end to contractual and outsourcing and filling up of all govt. and semi govt. posts on regular basis, to disband the new pension policy effective from 1.1.2004 and implement the same old pension scheme on all employees. They also demanded creation of social security fund for the workers of the unorganized sector.   They cited low wages in the state as major reason for the shortage of labour in the state. They demanded all anti worker acts recently promulgated by the Punjab government to be withdrawn with immediate effect. The speakers said that the labour laws in the state are being flouted by both public and private sector with impunity. The contractual workers in both the sectors be regularized hence forth.  These must be implemented in letter and spirit. They deplored that under the process of so called globalization and privatization at the diktat of the world bank and International Monetary Fund ,  the economic policies of both central and state governments there has been accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. Latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families in India own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees where as 70% are forced to live on meager spending of Rs. 16.60  per day.  Speaking on the occasion Com. Tarsem Jodhan, Com D P Maur, Com Ram Lal, Jagdish Chand and Gurjeet Singh Jagpal, Gulzar Singh Gorea opposed FDI in banks, LIC and retail as this will hit the job situation hard for the employees and also the production in the small scale sector. They also demanded  regular jobs and equal wages for ASHA, Aanganwadi and mid day meal workers. They warned that if the govt. does not change its economic policies benefitting the rich and the corporate sector, then more militant agitations   are on the anvil. Others who addressed include Com Bhagirath Paliwal, Suresh Sood, Gurnam Gill, Laddoo shah, Haniuman Prasad Dubey, Samar Bahadur, Gurnam Sidhu, Kameshwar Yadav, Sarbjit Singh Sarhali, Manjeet Singh Buta, Charan Dass, Amarnath Kumkalan, S K Tiwari and Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Com Naresh Gaur, Dr Arun Mitra and Shri Gurbaksh Rai.
The protestors included large number of women, construction workers, industrial workers, Public health workers,  contractual workers, Corporation workers, roadways  and others sections of workers and employees.  

Call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions

Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 4:30 PMThe protestors included large number of women

Peoples power at Ludhiana.....................................Photo by Rector Kathuria

Ludhiana(Rector Kathuria); On a call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions and various independent federations, unions and associations, the workers affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), INTUC, BMS, CTU, TUCC and CITU observed strike today in their respective industries and other institutions. Thereafter they gathered at Bus stand and organized a massive protest rally in support of their demands. The unions of workers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC  had already struck work and so there was a total Chakka Jam at the bus stand since 12.00 midnight.
The protestors included large number of women, construction workers, industrial workers, Public health workers,  contractual workers, Corporation workers, University employees, private hospital employees, roadways  and others sections of workers and employees. Todays’s protesat rally  was presided over by Com Om Parkash Mehta - AITUC, Com Jatinder Pal Singh of CITU and  Shri Swaran Singh of INTUC, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh Nageshwar Singh of BMS, Shri Sham Narain Yadav of TUCC . Speaking on the occasion state leaders Com Bant Brar – General Secretary AITUC Punjab, Com Raghunath Singh, General Secretary of CITU Punjab,  Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh. Swaran Singh- President INTUC Punjab, Hari singh Sahni-TUCC  demanded minimum wages to be fixed by the Punjab Govt. @ for unskilled workers Rs 10,000, Semi Skilled 15,000, Skilled workers 20,000 per month, end to contractual and out sourcing and filling up of all govt. and semi govt. posts on regular basis, to disband the new pension policy effective from 1.1.2004 and implement the same old pension scheme on all employees.  They cited low wages in the state as major reason for the shortage of labour in the state. They demanded all anti worker acts recently promulgated by the Punjab government to be withdrawn with immediate effect. The speakers said that the labour laws in the state are being flouted by both public and private sector with impunity. The contractual workers in both the sectors be regularized hence forth.  These must be implemented in letter and spirit. They deplored that under the process of so called globalization and privatization at the diktat of the world bank and International Monetary Fund ,  the economic policies of both central and state governments there has been accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. Latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families in India own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees where as 70% are forced to live on meager spending of Rs. 16.60  per day.  Speaking on the occasion Com. Tarsem Jodhan, Com D P Maur, Com Ram Lal, Jagdish Chand and Gurjeet Singh Jagpal, Gulzar Singh Gorea opposed FDI in banks, LIC and retail as this will hit the job situation hard for the employees and also the production in the small scale sector. They also demanded  regular jobs and equal wages for ASHA, Aanganwadi and mid day meal workers. They warned that if the govt. does not change its economic policies benefitting the rich and the corporate sector, then more militant agitations   are on the anvil. Others who addressed include Com Bhagirath Paliwal, Suresh Sood, Gurnam Gill, Laddoo shah, Haniuman Prasad Dubey, Samar Bahadur, Gurnam Sidhu, Kameshwar Yadav, Sarbjit Singh Sarhali, Manjeet Singh Buta, Charan Dass, Amarnath Kumkalan, S K Tiwari and Rajesh Kumar Sharma

Call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions

Sunder Nagar Now Jain Acharya Samaudr Nagar

All due to the hard efforts of Sh. Parveen Bansal
Ludhiana:19 Feb, 2013:(Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna) : With the blessings of Gachadipati Acharaya Shrimad Nityanand Sureshwar Ji Maharaj the name of Sunder Nagar, Ludhiana has been changed to Jain Achraya Samuder Nagar. The stone bearing this name was unfurled with blessings of Acharaya Shrimad Jayanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj, Muniraj Shri Kirti Vijay Ji Maharaj, Muni Shri Divayansh Suri Ji Maharaj by Chief Guest Sh. Parveen Bansal, BJP President Ludhiana District. The ceremony started with singing of bands and recital of Maha Navkar Mantra. Shri Atmanand Jain Mahasabha (Uttri Bharat) intimated that with the hard efforts of Sh. Parveen Bansal and with kind cooperation of Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana and all its Councilors this has been made possible. It was with the efforts of Sh. Parveen Bansal that Fountain Chowk name has been changed to Jain Acharaya Vallabh Chowk. On this occasion Shri Atmanand Jain Mahasabha (Uttri Bharat)   Patron Sh. Ramesh Jain Barar, President Sh. Surinder Mohan Jain, General Secretary Sh. Vinod Jain, Finance Secretary Sh. Sanjeev Jain CA, Secretary Sh. Narinder Jain,  Sh. Dhanraj Raj, Sh. Parveen Jain, Sh. Shripal Barar, Sh. Rajesh Jain Raja, Sh. Ashwani Jain Bittu, Sh. Bitta, Sh. Vinay Jain, Sh. Narbhushan Jain, Sh. Ashok Jain, Sh. Pardeep Jain, Sh. Amrit Jain were among many present on the occasion. Sweets were distributed on the occasion.   

Newer ways of corruption ?

Aam Aadmi Party staged a Dharna Rector Kathuria and SK Gogna

The Aam Aadmi party members today  outside the Corporation office and met  Municipal Commissioner Mr. Rakesh Verma to protest against the levying of the new property tax and have submitted an ultimatum of 5 days for removal of the tax in the district. The citizens of Ludhiana gathered in large numbers to support the Aam Aadmi party protest against 

Property tax.    

According to the District Secretary of Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Balbir Aggarwal, “The administration instead of focusing on providing better basic amenities to the people, is focusing on thinking up new means of imposing taxes and newer ways of corruption. Projects like removing encroachments from city roads and providing proper sanitation and good roads should be the priority of the local administration and not the desire to find new ways to burden the common man”.

Aam Aadmi members had a long meeting with the officials of the Corporation including the Municipal Commissioner in which they provided proofs of how public money was being pilfered and if the government stopped all that corruption it would have no need to impose new taxes on the Citizens of Ludhiana.

Aam Aadmi party members including District Convenor Mr. Harjot Singh, Mr. Balbir Aggarwal, Mr. Gulshan Kumar, Mr. Suresh Aggarwal, Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Mohit Mittal, Mr. Raman, Mr. Manjeet Singh, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Mr. Kanav Vats, Mr. Ajay Mittal and Mr. Raghuveer Singh thanked the people of Ludhiana for wholeheartedly supporting the protest against Property tax.

The Party Spokesman Dr. S. S. Butter informed that the party volunteers will be setting up awareness camps in most areas of the city to make people aware about this new tax and also launch an extensive signature campaign against it starting from tomorrow to try and force the District Administration to revoke its decision.

Imposition of Property Tax

A meeting and shake-hand

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on February 06, 2013.    (Photo:PIB)
06-February-2013   A meeting and shake-hand 

The web-weaving behavior

Why Spiders Do Not Stick to Their Own Sticky Web Sites

                                              Photo Courtesy:InfoVisual

Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and University of Costa Rica asked 
why spiders do not stick to their own sticky webs. Repeating old, widely quoted but poorly 
documented studies with modern equipment and techniques, they discovered that spiders’ legs are 
protected by a covering of branching hairs and by a non-stick chemical coating. Their results are published online in the journal, Naturwissenschaften. 
They also observed that spiders carefully move their legs in ways that minimize adhesive forces as they push against their sticky silk lines hundreds to thousands of times during the construction of each orb.   
The web-weaving behavior of two tropical species, Nephila clavipes and Gasteracantha 
cancriformis, was recorded with a video camera equipped with close-up lenses. Another video camera coupled with a dissecting microscope helped to determine that individual droplets of sticky glue slide along the leg’s bristly hair, and to estimate the forces of adhesion to the web. By washing spider legs with hexane and water, they showed that spiders’ legs adhered more tenaciously when the non-stick coating was removed. 
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, Panama, is a unit 
of the Smithsonian Institution. The Institute furthers the understanding of tropical nature and its 
importance to human welfare, trains students to conduct research in the tropics and promotes 
conservation by increasing public awareness of the beauty and importance of tropical ecosystems. 
Website: www.stri.si.edu.  

Spiders carefully move their legs
The web-weaving behavior 
# # #

Seminar on wetlands organized by BJGV Jatha

Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Punjab has 14 wetlands like Harike, Kanjli and Nangal
To observe the WORLD WETLAND DAY a seminar was organized today by Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha Distt. Ludhiana in co-ordination with  Punjab State Council for  Science & Technology at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public School, Haibowal Kalan Ludhiana. Inaugurating the seminar Dr. Arun Mitra-General Secretary-BJGVJ emphasized the need to preserve our wetlands. He said that the human civilization has developed around the wetlands since ancient times But unfortunately due to unchecked human  activities coupled with greed of a few, the same wetlands have come under threat ultimately adversely affecting the human life itself and the flora and fauna around. Sh.Ranjit Singh Retired Principal and Vice-President of BJGVJ  gave a detailed lecture on the subject. He informed that there are more than 23000 wetlands  in our  country. Punjab has 14 wetlands like Harike, Kanjli and Nangal. Out of these Harike is the biggest with an area of 41 square Kms. Some types of birds from as far as polar regions come to this place covering a distance of 40000 Kms in 8 months. Sh.M.S.Bhatia-Organising Secretary of BJGVJ that the Jatha will make it a movement . He said that it is unfortunate that these wetlands are getting polluted by the polluted water of the rivers. This is causing serious threat to the migrant birds in particular. He demanded that  prevention of pollution of the wetlands should be taken seriously by the authorities. He informed that the Jatha will organize a trip of the students to Harike in near future. Principal of school Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhatia called upon the students to come forward and conserve the wetlands. She lauded the role of Jatha in spreading awareness about the preservation of ecology. She also thanked the participants.
Dr Arun Mitra
Mobile: 94170 00360