Srinagar/Jammu/ Ludhiana/Delhi, Jan. 25 : Vigilance, surveillance and allied security measures have been strengthened in several parts of north India, and especially in sensitive cities like Srinagar, Jammu and Ludhiana ahead of Monday''s Republic Day celebrations.

Security forces frisked passers-by and searched vehicles on Satruday in areas near the Bakshi Stadium, including Lal Chowk, Exhibition Crossing, Budshah Chowk, Wazir Bagh, Haft Chinar, Rambagh and Iqbal Park, sources said.

The Divisional Commissioner of Srinagar, Masood Samoon, told reporters that all security arrangements are in place.

Abohar/Ludhiana, Jan. 7 : Punjab, which has produced many national and international sportspersons, holds a big pool of talent in its rural areas. With proper training it could be harnessed to represent the country.

Badal Village in the southwest Punjab is a one such place, which has one of the best and ultra-modern sports infrastructure. Its shooting range today acts as a nursery for all budding female shooters, as it prepares them for national as well as international championships.

Ludhiana, Dec. 30 : Punjab takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, which it shares with other cultures to strengthen and promote cultural bonds. It was visible recently when a cultural troupe from Denmark arrived here.

A team of 28 gymnasts-cum-dancers from Denmark recently gave a scintillating performance during the Indo-Danish Fest held at Partap College of Education in Ludhiana.

The performers brought the Danish culture alive before the Ludhiana audience and won hearts through their precise movements in rhythmic gymnastic skills, dance, artistic vaulting and tumbling.

Ludhiana, Dec. 27 : Living thousands of miles away from their homeland, a large number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) have never lost their fondness for India. They have always wanted to invest in India.

According to a World Bank report, nearly six million Indians working abroad sent home 30 billion dollars during 2008 making India, the top receiver of migrant remittances.

For instance, almost each family in the Giljian Village near Jalandhar today boasts of having at least one member living in abroad. The village has 300 houses.

Ludhiana, Dec. 8 : A group of innovative farmers in Punjab is now looking for ways to improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability by adopting diversification.

Growing vegetables is now a viable alternative for Punjab farmers. Davinder Singh of Mushkabad village is today an example in Ludhiana district who grows quality vegetable in his 10-acre farmland and today supplies the produce to retail giants like Reliance and Field Fresh.

Seven years ago, Davinder and his friends set up Innovative Farmers'' Group and started marketing agro-produce on their own.

Ludhiana, Dec. 3 : With global economic slowdown affecting almost all countries around the world and the United States economy being the worst-hit, the Indian exporters and manufactures have not been able to escape the heat.

The small and medium scale enterprises in Punjab are facing a major crisis and now seeking a bailout from the government. The State’s leather industry particularly is facing a major downturn.