[Many Precious Lives Lost and Vehicles Damaged After Falling into the Canal
Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/June 14 : The Bist Doab Canal, constructed in 1956, was initially built with high mud embankments (narrow pathways) on both sides. These embankments ensured the safe passage of small and medium vehicles along the canal road. At that time, heavy vehicles were prohibited from using the canal road. There were five iron gates installed between Garhshankar and Adampur — located roughly one kilometer ahead of Garhshankar, at the bridge near village Posi, near Kot Fatuhi, close to Mehtiana bridge, and another near the railway line beyond the village Damuda.
To cross these points, drivers had to inform the stationed canal staff, who would then unlock the heavy iron gates to allow passage. The embankments were regularly maintained by appointed workers, who shaped the slopes in a way that minimized the risk of accidents.
However, with the passage of time and changing governments, the condition of the canal paths deteriorated. The iron gates were removed, and the presence of canal department staff and workers gradually disappeared. Meanwhile, the number of private vehicles increased, and traffic on the canal roads grew rapidly and unchecked.
In recent years, especially between Garhshankar and Adampur, many accidents have occurred where people have fallen into the canal, resulting in tragic deaths and vehicles going missing. These incidents are frequently reported in newspapers and news channels.
Earlier, the roads alongside the canal were in very poor condition, filled with deep potholes, leading to multiple accidents. Now, although the road has been upgraded and elevated, the side embankments have disappeared completely. No safety railings have been installed. The improved road has ironically increased the risk, as heavy tipper trucks and trailers now also use the route, posing constant danger to smaller vehicles.
Pandit Balbir Bhardwaj shared that recently, near the Kot Fatuhi bridge, an auto-rickshaw driver tried to give way to a tractor but lost balance and fell into the canal. Fortunately, since it was daytime, bystanders noticed the incident and managed to rescue the driver in time.
Similarly, Mr. Sehdev stated that any individual traveling on a scooter or motorcycle alongside the canal feels unsafe, fearing an accident — as large vehicles often do not yield space to smaller ones. On one side is the canal, and on the other are deep fields, making it especially risky for two-wheelers and smaller vehicles.
Village head (Numberdar) Sarbjot Singh Sabi demanded that the government immediately install safety railings along both sides of the Bist Doab Canal from Garhshankar to Adampur to prevent further accidents. He pointed out that at a few bridge points, safety railings have been installed, but the entire stretch urgently needs attention.
In a recent exclusive conversation on this issue, Member of Parliament Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal stated that work will soon begin on installing safety railings along the canal road to help prevent such unfortunate incidents.
Local residents are strongly urging authorities to take swift action and install safety railings along the Bist Doab Canal to ensure no more precious lives are lost.
[14/06, 17:44] Daljit Ajnoha: Three-Day Workshop Organized by the Directorate of Education, SGPC Successfully Concludes at Mata Gujri College
Fatehgarh Sahib / Daljeet Ajnoha
A three-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Web Designing, organized by the Directorate of Education, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Bahadurgarh, Patiala, successfully concluded at Mata Gujri College. Faculty members from various colleges enthusiastically participated in the event.
Engineer Sukhwinder Singh, Secretary of Education, and Dr. Rajinder Kaur, Deputy Director of Nishchay Academy, Chandigarh, attended as the chief guests.
The workshop began with a collective prayer led by Prof. Amandeep Kaur from Batala College. The first session was chaired by Prof. Amritpal Singh. During this session, Ms. Maya and her team from Trailblazer Visionaries, Chandigarh, provided insights into linking website pages, differences between ISO, mobile applications, and websites. Participants also engaged in hands-on practical exercises aligned with the syllabus.
Prof. Monica (Muktsar College) and Prof. Gagandeep Kaur (Longowal College) shared constructive feedback, praising the trainers for their clarity and practical demonstrations.
The second session was chaired by Prof. Joga Singh from Mata Gujri College and focused on transforming websites into mobile applications. Participants were introduced to various app-building tools and techniques, with guidance on making their web projects fully functional across multiple platforms.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Narinder Singh, Principal of Guru Nanak College, Budhlada, welcomed Engineer Sukhwinder Singh. On this occasion, Engineer Singh congratulated the participants for successfully completing the workshop modules. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would bring a renewed awareness of technology in SGPC-run institutions and empower both teachers and students to meet the demands of the modern era.
Dr. Rajinder Kaur, Deputy Director of Nishchay Academy, Chandigarh, also congratulated all the participants and appreciated the unique initiative by the Directorate of Education. She emphasized that the workshop is a significant step toward enhancing the digital proficiency of faculty members in SGPC institutions and encouraged similar future initiatives for continued progress.
Prof. Paramjit Kaur from Anandpur Sahib College, while addressing the participants, congratulated them on their dedication and for gaining unique learning experiences through this workshop. She also extended special appreciation to the organizing team, including Dr. Bikramjit Singh Sandhu, Vice Principal of Mata Gujri College, and Dr. Harjeet Singh, Controller of Examinations, for their excellent coordination.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to all participants in recognition of their successful participation in the workshop.
