Medical students of the Chandka Medical College (CMC) in Larkana have installed air-conditioners (ACs) in their hostel rooms on self-help basis in the wake of a blistering summer heatwave. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University’s (SMBBMU) recently appointed Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Aneela Atta-ur-Rahman on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to hostel rooms to inspect the situation. She was astonished to observe seven air-conditioners installed in rooms of students, who had joined the CMC to become physicians for serving the ailing masses of the Sindh province, and termed it “an utter violation of the college’s discipline and rules and regulations.” What further irked her was the fact that concerned authorities took no action to stop students. Meanwhile, she ordered administrative officers to remove all ACs immediately. Later, she expressed dissatisfaction over cleanliness situation in premises of the hostel while visiting canteen, kitchen, hostel rooms, library and bathrooms. On the other hand, students complained her about lack of basic facilities and improper drainage system. Subsequently, she directed the college’s executive engineer to observe their complaints and resolve their grievances within a week. She warned students to not allow any outsider in premises of the hostel or otherwise, they could be expelled from the college, and a stern action would be taken against CMC staff. She said provision of maximum security was one of her top priorities. Besides, CMC Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Ali Gohar Dahri, CMC Principal Prof Dr K Das, Bibi Aseefa Dental College Principal Dr Ilyas Shaikh, media coordinator Abdul Samad Bhatti and other officials were also present on the occasion. Railways minister praised for launching new trains Following inauguration of the two passenger trains Mohenjo-daro Express and Rohi Express by the Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Tuesday, Mohenjo-daro Express consisting of seven bogies arrived at Larkana junction. The train’s driver, guards and other staff members were garlanded by residents of Larkana. Meanwhile, dancers danced to tunes of famous Sindhi songs in their traditional dresses. Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (LCCI) President Abdul Ghaffar Shaikh, Shehri Ittehad’s representative Niaz Abro, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) Maulana Ali Nawaz Qasmi and several notables were also present on the occasion. “Something is better than nothing,” they said, adding that the passenger train would provide transportation facility to local people, who used to wait for several hours while travelling from one place to another for their jobs on a daily basis. They appealed to the Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Shaikh Rashid to launch a night bus service from Larkana to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, so that small traders, visitors and members of the business community could also be facilitated. “The train will take about 11 to 12 hours while travelling between Rohri and Kotri, which is a considerable long journey, whereas we require fast moving trains,” they said. They appreciated the federal minister for taking such an initiative, but pleaded with him to launch the Kambar railway track for benefitting people of two twin districts. Published in Daily Times, October 17th 2018.