Doctors irked over Togadia’s participation in IMA rally

Dr. Arun Mitra wrote a letter to IMA president

Ludhiana: 8th June 2017: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

The ranks of medical fraternity under the Indian Medical Association (IMA) here are divided on the participation of VHP leader Pravin Togadia in the protest held by the IMA in New Delhi on June 6. Doctors across the country had observed a strike demanding a central legislation to deal with violence against doctors.

In an open letter written to IMA president KK Aggarwal, former district president and former state senior vice-president Dr. Arun Mitra said the doctors here had whole-heartedly supported the nationwide strike on June 6 because they were convinced that the majority of the doctors were sensitive towards their duty and sincerely tended to the sick and infirm.

Taking strong exception to inviting ParveenTogadia to address the IMA rally at New Delhi, Dr. Mitra charged the IMA president of either being ignorant and naive about Togadia’s hard line views or having some ulterior motive. “The act of inviting Togadia to the rally has lowered the professional prestige of the organization,” he remarked.

Mitra said doctors were entitled to know the reason for inviting Togadia to address the rally when he has no locus standi. 

In his letter Dr. Mitra said,"We actively participated in the  protest against violence on  doctors organized by the   IMA on 6th June 2017 because we are convinced that most of the doctors are sensitive towards their duty of care to the patients, they are compassionate and are truthful in their total approach to the care of the sick and the infirm.  Even though we have strong reservations over certain approaches of the IMA central leadership, for example, getting support from the pharmaceutical companies for organizing education programs in a lavish manner,  endorsing certain commercial products and also on holding IMA meetings in places like  Pataya in Thailand. As concerned members, we had pointed out about these from time to time." 

He further said,"I, Arun Mitra have been an active member of the association since the early 1980s and was President of the Ludhiana unit and then senior vice president of Punjab state IMA in 2009. Therefore despite the reservations mentioned above we have been involved in the IMA because I feel that this is the premier body of the doctors which carries legacy of eminent persons like Dr A K N Sinha and Dr B C Roy. But we were utterly perturbed to learn that Parveen Togadia was invited to address the rally at Delhi.

Doctors are taught to have patience and provide care within best of our ability to the patients irrespective of caste, creed or community. As a doctor we give declaration and pledge that we will consecrate life to the service of humanity. This clearly means that we dedicate ourselves to humanity. Parveen Togadia is well known for venomous hate speeches. When one possesses bias against a particular community how can one justify the commitment to serve all the people in the same manner?

Inviting ParveenTogadia to address indicates that either you are ignorant and naive about Togadia's views or you have some ulterior motive.  This act of inviting Togadia has lowered the professional prestige of the organization.

As citizens of the country and members of IMA we have every reason to know why he was invited to address when he has no locus standi, he is neither any office bearer of the IMA nor he is a doctor of great eminence that his presence will boost the cause of IMA. 

Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha participated in the nationwide strike

Fri, Jul 8, 2016 at 5:13 PM

Organised rallies at different places in the state 

Ludhiana: 8th July 2016: (Gulzar Goria//Punjab Screen):

The Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha Organised rallies at different places in the state and participated in the nationwide strike by the agriculture labour on 1st July for their demands. Hand bills were distributed during these events and the people were made aware of their rights which have been denied by successive governments. The agriculture workers struck their work and joined these rallies at Taran Taran, Nawasheher, Banga, Malerkotla, Muktsar, Vill Nathowal & Machiwara in Ludhiana, Mansa, Bhudlada, Kalasangian, Bathinda, Lambi, Amritsar, Vill Shatrana in Patiala, Jalandhar, Pathankot and Abohar. Various state and district level leaders of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sahba addressed these rallies which included Com Daryao Singh, Gulzar Gorai, Swarn Singh Nagoke, Surjeet Sohi Adv, Nanak Chand Lambi, Rishi Pal Khubban, Preetam Singh Niamatpur, Devi Kumari, Gurdeep Singh Gurwali, Bant Singh Brar, Ramlal, Kulwant singh Pandherkheri, Hari Singh Machiwara, Surinder Kumar Bhani, Krishan Chauhan Mansa.

Gulzar Goria is Gen.Secy of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha and his contat number is- 9463809002

Aam Aadmi Party Jan Chetna Yatra reaches Ludhiana

Thu, May 21, 2015 at 6:43 PM Overwhelming response was witnessed

Ludhiana: May 21, 2015: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

The Statewide ‘Baimaan Bhajao-Punjab Bachao’-Jan Chetna Yatra of Aam Aadmi Party entered Ludhiana District today. Aam Aadmi Party Ludhiana District volunteers in large numbers wearing their signature white caps and bands gave a warm welcome and received the yatra as it arrived at Khanna.

The main reception and public gathering by Aam Aadmi Party Ludhiana unit was held at Sahnewal where National Leader and Punjab State Observer Shri. Sanjay Singh, Aam Aadmi Party Member of Parliament Mr. Harinder Singh Khalsa and S. Sucha Singh Chottepur were received by District Ludhiana Aam Aadmi Party volunteers and Ludhiana District Convener Mr. Ahbaab Singh Grewal. Overwhelming response about the Yatra was witnessed among the residents of Ludhiana, who like all Punjabis are miserable and  sufferings due to the corrupt and ineffiecient SAD/BJP Government headed by the Badals in the State. A large number of Ludhianvis turned out to take part in this yatra and vowed to bring an end to this corrupt rule of Badal Sarkar.

Later the Yatra travelled through the Ludhiana City following the route from Sherpur Chowk, Dholewal Chowk, Vishkarma Chowk, Jagraon Bridge, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Bhaiwala Chowk and paused for the day at Circuit House Ludhiana for a night halt.

The yatra will restart for the next day from Circuit House Ludhiana at 10:00 am and then would be entering towards District Jalandhar via under the Jagraon Bridge where a public gathering will be addressed near Clock Tower by Aam Aadmi Party Senior members and then public gathering would be addressed at Jalandhar Bypass, Jassian Road, Eldeco(NH-1) and all this is being organized by different Aam Aadmi Party Ludhiana Units.

According to Mr. Ahbaab Grewal “The Aam Aadmi Party is successful in reaching to the masses while exposing the rot set by the corruption and nepotism of Badals in front of the Public and the massive support received everywhere in the state is evidence of that.”

A Birthday Celebration after Death gave a message to society

No-Drug Rally at Sarabha Nagar Market

Ludhiana: 13 July 2014: (Punjab Screen Bureau): 
Sadbhavna De addiction Center Raikot in association with Sarabha Nagar Shokeepers organized a rally at Sarabha Nagar Main Market today. Speaking on the occasion Dr A K Banerjee said that Drug crimes are on the rise in Punjab. Many young lives are getting wasted. This is more s due to the lack of will of the government, administration and police. He said that on 21st June his only son Abhishek was found dead in a car at college road under mysterious circumstances. But police seems to be in closing the case. Dr Arun Mitra, convener citizens forum for justice, said that police instead of nabbing the culprits the manufacturers, the hoarders, and suppliers, the police is picking small addicts. Dr Deepak Prashar Secretary IMA said that addicts are victims of social disease. They need treatment and education. D P Maur said that the government must take full responsibility of the rehabilitation of addicts. S. Gohlwaria Mayor of Ludhiana expressed concern for the growing drug menace in the city. Sh H R dhanda also addressed.  Many Social workers Maj. S S Aulakh, Mrs Anita Sharma, Mrs Savita Kalra, Mrs Gurcharan Kochar, Gautam Rishi, Mrs Kimti Goel pledged to make Ludhiana drug free. Sh Sompal Herera and his team staged a drama on awareness against the drugs.  

March to Parliament on 12th December 2013

Sun, Dec 8, 2013 at 4:24 PM

AITUC Rally in Basti Jodhewal Ludhiana

Speaking on the occasion, Com. Kuldeep Singh Binder

Ludhiana: 7 December 2013: Addressing the rally of Hosiery Workers Union Regd. (AITUC) at Basti Jodhewal  Chowk today, Com D P Maur – General Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana said that the Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education.  Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country. On that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of  outsourcing,  contractualization and casualisation of labour is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60  per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps. 

General Secretary AITUC Ludhiana  Com O P Mehta Advocate  said that the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime Minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core. Corruption at the higher places has become rampant which is obvious  from the scandal like 2-G Spectrum. The Gas price hike in connivance with the Ambanis will cost a loss of nearly 2.20 lakh crores to the exchequer, he highlighted.

Addressing the gathering Com Feroze Master senior leader of the Hosiery Workers Union said that the Trade Unions have decided to intensify their joint agitations and march to Parliament on 12th December 2013 on the charter of demands which includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000 universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc. He further demanded that the piece rate for the cutter master should be revised or they should be given a salary of Rs.20000 for eight hours work.

Com. Ramesh Rattan said that taking advantage of this situation the rabidly communal RSS and BJP have floated Modi as their Prime ministerial candidate. This is a very serious danger before the nation which the workers have to fight back tooth and nail.

Speaking on the occasion, Com. Kuldeep Singh Binder,  Com Gurnam Singh Sidhu, Com Manjit Singh Boota, Com. Master Shafeeq, Com. Ram Partap Singh and Com. Amarnath called upon the hosiery and other workers to participate in large numbers in the march to parliament on 12th December 2013.

Rally on Eye Donation

Sat, Sep 14, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Event by JCI Ludhiana city and Punarjot Eye Bank 

Ludhiana:14 September 2013:(Rachhpal Singh//Jatinder Pamal//Punjab Screen): JCI Ludhiana City organized a Mass Rally by students on Eye Donation on 14th September in the prominent areas of Model Town. The purpose of the rally was to generate awareness among the general public about Donation of Eyes. More than 500 Students of R.S. Model took part in this rally carrying banners and raising slogans in favour of eye donation. The rally was organized in association with PunarJot Eye Bank Society under the leadership of Dr. Ramesh.
          
Deputy Mayor of Ludhiana, Shri R.D. Sharma was the Chief Guest of the occasion and flagged off the rally. He said that people need to develop a mindset to pledge their eyes and motivate others to do the same. Dr. Ramesh, while addressing the gathering, laid emphasis on the benefits of eye donation to the society and motivated students to pledge their eyes so that more and more people could benefit from this noble act. Speaking on the occasion, president of JCI Ludhiana City, JC Deepak Gupta informed that this is part of JCI Ludhiana City’s endeavour to generate eye donation awareness. During this campaign, they have already inaugurated a Permanent Eye Donation –cum- information centre at Singh Optics, Middah Chowk, Ludhiana. Also present on the occasion were Principal of R.S. Model School, Shri Mohan Lal Kalra, Executive Vice President of JCI India, JC Rajesh Gupta, , JC Vikrant Aggarwal (Vice President of JCI Ludhiana City), JC Sanjeev Taheem, , JC Rajeev Aggarwal (Secretary, JCI Ludhiana City), JC M P Singh, JC Jasvinder Singh, JC Inderjeet Singh, JC Roopam Bhatia, JC Didarjit Singh, JC Amit Goyal, Mr. Rachhpal Singh, Sr. eye bank technician, Mr. Jatinder singh, Media Incharge, and Mr. Dalbir singh makkar, eye donor Family.

Worker on the Bahadarke Road stabbed

AITUC demanded immediate arrest of culprits 

                                                                                                                                                                               File photo

The all India Trade Union congress (AITUC) has demanded immediate arrest and strict action against the culprits who stabbed a worker on the Bahadarke Road. Addressing a rally of thousands of workers today at the Bahadarke Road today Com. D P Maur- general Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana said that the law and order situation is very bad in the city and maximum brunt of the situation is to be borne buy t he poor workers who have to go for duty in shifts at any time of the day or night. The police has failed in its duty to provide security to the citizens particularly the workers.  Not only that the labour laws are flouted with impunity and the poor workers do not get their dues or health or other social security benefits. Dr Arun Mitra- Asssistant Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded that there should be 24 hour police patrolling in the area which should not remain just on the main road but in the street and  mohallas. The workers should be issued identity card by the employers so as to avoid harassment by the police while checking. Com Kuldip singh Binder- member district council of the  CPI said that if the culprits are not arrested by tomorrow the agitation will be intensified. Com Feroze Master – General Secretary of the Hosiery workers union said that the workers of the area would not take rest till the culprits are taken to task. Com Shafiq also addressed the rally and appealed to workers to continue their peaceful agitation for security, social security benefits and implementation of labour laws in letter and spirit.  
D P Maur

General Secretary

Joint Council of Trade Unions

Mobile: 94176022333