& V I C I N I T Y
Friday, August 28, 1998
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Friday, August 28, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Bank
that paid 1800 per cent interest ! |
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 Contractor told to pay compensation CHANDIGARH , Aug 27 —The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has ordered a Mani Majra-based contractor to pay Rs 32,500 as compensation to a local consumer who hired his services for laying a marble floor with a granite finish. |
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 GMCH writes to MCI on recognition issue Chandigarh, Aug 27 — The authorities of the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 here, have written to the Medical Council of India saying that the case of permanent recognition for the college should be included in the agenda of the council's executive body meeting, scheduled for September. Firing on
PU campus: Syndics seek probe Hotel
inspection much ado about nothing MCC
seeks powers to okay plans Aanganwadi
staff stage dharna Crime in Panchkula-IV Saroj
likely to be CMC Commissioner Remand
in Burail Jail case extended Caution
against mustard oil 7-year
RI for Haryana policeman Contempt
notice to Commissioner |
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Admn orders probe into fancy
lights CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The Chandigarh Administration has ordered a probe by the Vigilance Cell into the installation of fancy lights in government houses. Sources in the administration reveal that numerous complaints have been received from occupants of government houses that fancy lights have been installed against their requirement or wish. On the other hand, they say, routine complaints of maintenance, including leaking roofs, remain unattended for want of funds. The sources further reveal that more than Rs 10 lakh was spent on providing four sets of fancy lights in each of the type IX (old) or higher category of houses a few months ago. The occupants maintain that instead of providing an additional ceiling fan, which they have been demanding for a long time, the Engineering Department decided to replace the existing light points with fancy lights. The Vigilance Cell will also look into the quality and prices of the fancy lights so fitted. Meanwhile, the Central Vigilance Commission has recommended major penalty proceedings against senior officials of the Engineering Department for using substandard bricks in the construction of the Sector 32 Government Medical College Hospital. The Vigilance Cell and the local office of the CBI had in joint raids last year lifted samples of bricks and marble used in the GMCH. The laboratory report said that the bricks were substandard. Even the quality of marble used was found to be much inferior than specified. On the basis of the reports received from laboratories, the administration forwarded the findings to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The CVC has approved the findings and recommended major penalty proceedings. The Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), on the basis of the CVC recommendations, has ordered launching of major penalty proceedings against those officials of the Engineering Department who were responsible for the supply of bricks and marble. A team of technical experts of the CVC had also visited the GMCH for an on-the-spot study of the quality of construction. The team took a number of samples from various construction sites in the GMCH complex. The final reports of those samples are still to be received. The Administrator had
ordered a technical audit of the entire work at the GMCH
after a roof collapsed a few months ago. The Vigilance
Cell has already completed an inquiry into the various
aspects of engineering works at the project and submitted
its findings to the CVC which had in turn recommended
major penalty proceedings against the then Chief Engineer
and others, besides recommending criminal proceedings
against those indicted in the report. |
Bank that paid 1800 per cent
interest ! CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — Can a bank afford to pay a whopping over 1800 per cent interest on a saving account of one of its customers? Or can a bank withdraw an amount from the account of a customer without obtaining his consent ? The answers are in the affirmative if the transactions in an account of the Sector 32 branch of Canara Bank is to be believed. And the 'lucky' customer, who was showered with an incredible amount of interest — Rs 1.71 lakh — is Mr Sanjay Kumar, (account no. 1122), a resident of the Sector 25, Kumhar Colony. Mr Sanjay Kumar had Rs 9871 in his saving bank account till February 2, this year. He could never have imagined even in his wildest of dreams that the bank would make him a 'lakhpati' overnight when he had gone to the bank to deposit Rs 4072 . On that day, the bank took his deposit to a whopping Rs 1,84,630.00 from the Rs 9,871 he had earlier in his account. When he checked his account book after the transaction, he was surprised. He brought it to the notice of the cashier. The cashier in turn told him that it was his money. Subsequently, he visited the bank a couple of times. According to the account book,an extra entry of Rs 1,70,687 was made on February 2 in his account and was shown as interest of the principal amount of Rs 9871. What is more interesting is the fact that neither the bank nor the account holder could detect the 'error' till August 25 despite the fact that during this entire period regular entries were made by the bank in the pass book of the holder.In between, Mr Sanjay Kumar withdrew Rs 5,000.00 on February 23 and was paid Rs 4042 as interest on August 1. On August 22, he made a deposit of Rs 12,500.00 in his account. Interestingly, the bank
authorities, after being informed about the
'erroneous’ entry withdrew the excess amount from
his account on their own without even obtaining his
consent. Mr Sanjay Kumar alleged that the officials did
not even show the basic courtesy of informing him, before
making a withdrawal. |
Contractor told to pay compensation CHANDIGARH , Aug 27 —The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has ordered a Mani Majra-based contractor to pay Rs 32,500 as compensation to a local consumer who hired his services for laying a marble floor with a granite finish. The quality of work was alleged to be poor and the time schedule was not followed. Mr R.P. Bajaj , president and Mr H.S.Walia and Mrs Kamlesh Gupta, both members, handed down the order on a written complaint of Ms Shashi Jain, a local resident. In her complaint Ms Jain alleged that she engaged the services of Chadrika , operating from Mani Majra, for laying the floor of her house in Sector 44 within a "period of one and a half months". The work, however, proved to be unsatisfactory and even the time schedule was not followed. Ms Jain said she was forced to pay a fine of Rs 10 ,452 to the UT Administration for non completion for her house within the stipulated time. The forum held the
contractor guilty of deficiency in service and allowed
the complaint. Apart from compensating the amount paid as
an extension fee, the forum allowed Rs 17,000 to be paid
as the amount that the complainant spent on redoing the
floor. Another Rs 5,000 was granted for harassment caused
to Ms Jain. The contractor will have to comply with the
orders within one month of the receipt of the copy of the
orders. |
GMCH writes to MCI on
recognition issue Chandigarh, Aug 27 — The authorities of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 here, have written to the Medical Council of India (MCI) saying that the case of permanent recognition for the college should be included in the agenda of the council's executive body meeting, scheduled for September. In a letter written today, the GMCH authorities have cited that nine of the 11 new appointees joined their jobs today, thus meeting a condition of the MCI that had objected against deputationists . The other two
newly appointed doctors, Dr (Mrs) K. Shri Nageshwari,
working with an institute under the Ministry of Defence
in New Delhi, and Dr Ashok Kumar working at the PGIMS ,
Rohtak, shall join once they are relieved by their
present employers. Once Dr Kumar joins, the present
incumbent in the Chest Diseases Department, Dr V.K.
Maini, a deputationist from Punjab, will be reverted to
his parent cadre, sources said. The third case is of Prof M.S. Sekhon, but this cannot be taken up as the matter is sub judice and another doctor has gone to court. Despite the Union Home Ministry having clarified that deputationists were an integral part of the unique employment set up in Chandigarh , the MCI has objected and stalled permanent recognition for the college on this issue alone. After the new appointments the GMCH authorities are hopeful of a favourable decision from the MCI. Meanwhile, Dr
D.P. Mehta of the PGI has joined the GMCH as Medical
Superintendent and Professor of Hospital Administration. |
Firing on PU campus: Syndics seek
probe CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — At least two Syndics and a Fellow of Panjab University in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr R.P. Singh, have demanded an independent inquiry into the firing incident on the university campus on August 21. In the letter it has been pointed out that Mr Kuljit Singh Nagra, who was arrested after the firing incident, had at a meeting of the Senate in 1997 said that he had been receiving "threats of elimination". The Syndics have also quoted proceedings of the Senate where he had asked for a judicial inquiry into the incidents of violence to "expose criminal elements". The Syndics said that they had collected certain facts as "responsible Syndics and Senators of the university " which pointed out that the August 21 incident was staged by "a group of inspired students". "We are of the opinion that a fresh and impartial inquiry be conducted into the case which should be headed by a senior official," the letter reads. The letter has been signed by Mr Rajinder Deepa and Prof Charanjit Chawla. According to a separate press release, a delegation of the Students Organisation of Panjab University led by the president, Mr Dyal Pratap Singh Randhawa, met the IGP and demanded the arrest of those named in the FIR, failing which they would be forced to launch an agitation . Meanwhile, Mr Sham Sunder,
an office-bearer of the All-India Students Federation,
has also demanded an independent inquiry into the
shootout incident. |
Hotel inspection much ado about
nothing CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The high-voltage over two-hour drama over an inspection by the Electricity Department in a hotel in Sector 22 proved to be much ado about nothing here this evening. Failing agreement of the Electricity Department officials to have findings of their visit countersigned by the management, the inspection drama fizzled out. At least six officials of the Electricity Department "visited" the hotel owned by a former MP this evening. They reportedly prepared a report which they asked the reception staff to sign. When the hotel staff refused to do so, the electricity officials said that the hotel might stand to" have the electricity connection disconnected." A representative of the management reached the venue and the inspection was carried out again. When The Tribune correspondent reached the hotel, the inspection had been completed. The representative of the hotel management said the findings of the inspection should be countersigned by him. Talks carried on with the Electricity Department officials in the office of the management representative. From the talks it became evident that of the hotel's three electricity meters, one was working fine. However, another one had a minor trouble and the third had the seal intact. There was, however, reverse wiring "which could slow down the meter". This could possibly be the mistake of the worker who changed the meter two months ago, an official of the Electricity Department said. The management representative once again made the offer of countersigning the findings of the inspection. At this point another electricity official said, "Even if there were no signatures the report of the officials would still be valid." The officials, however, said that they would look into the matter once again. The matter ended at that and the officials left the office around 9 p.m. The management representative later said he had been assured by the officials that the report would not be submitted. Mr P.S. Chawla, SE, later clarified that no special raids were being carried out. The officials were only making routine visits and the reports were not usually submitted to the SE. Mr S.N. Makkar, who also
took part in the inspection, later said the check was
"routine." |
MCC seeks powers to okay plans CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) has urged the Chandigarh Administration to grant powers to the civic body to sanction building plans in Mani Majra. This demand was raised before the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber, when a delegation of the MCC comprising the Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta, the senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Prem Sagar Jain, and a councillor, Mr Des Raj Tandon, called on him. The building plans under the building byelaws were earlier sanctioned by the erstwhile Notified Area Committee, Mani Majra. The delegation assured the Administrator that all wards of the civic body were being paid equal attention and allegation of certain councillors that their wards were being ignored were "totally false". The Administrator had made a surprise visit to Mani Majra recently, reportedly following complaints by the Congress councillors — Mr Raj Kumar Goyal and Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala — that Mani Majra was given a "step-motherly treatment" by the civic body. Regarding the development of Sector 17, the delegation was assured by the Administrator that he would devote personal attention to it. Workers' demands: Members of the Municipal Corporation Mechanical Workers Union have decided to stage a dharna in front of the office of the corporation in support of their demands. Filling of
the vacant posts, regularisation of the services of the
daily-wage workers and payment of revised pay scales to
daily wage and work-charged employees are among their
main demands, a press note issued here said today. |
Aanganwadi staff stage dharna CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — Braving the rain, hundreds of aanganwadi workers and helpers staged a dharna in support of their long-pending demands in front of the Directorate of Social Security in Sector 34 here today. The protesters, who had arrived from various parts of the state, were carrying placards decrying the "step-motherly treatment" being meted out to them and the meagre amounts being paid to them in the name of honorarium. Many of the women had brought their small children along to highlight the fact that the amount paid to them could not even sustain a child, let alone a family. Mrs Hargobind Kaur, president of the Punjab Aanganwadi Mulazam union, alleged the state government was not doing anything to urge the centre not to scrap 52 ICDS schemes which would deprive thousands of women of a livelihood. Mrs Gurjit Kaur, general secretary of the union, said the state government was also delaying the release of a 30 per cent raise as recommended by the Centre. She said the government should provide them child care allowance on the pattern of Goa and festival allowance as was being given to all aanganwadi staff in West Bengal. It was decided that in
case their demands were not met till September 20, the
union would boycott all state functions and visits by
ministers to their constituencies. The protesters also
condemned the police for manhandling some union members
and claimed that some of them received bruises. |
Crime in
Panchkula-IV PANCHKULA: "For criminals, our lives are worth nothing. They can kill anyone even for Rs 2000", says a resident of Sector 21. Senior citizens, disabled persons and single women are soft targets for criminals. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, denies that the crime rate has gone up. He says that in the past eight months, only 26 burglaries have been reported from the district as compared to 43 in the corresponding period last year. "Public here is less security conscious. There are many locked houses in Panchkula and 90 per cent of thefts take place in such houses. If a house owner is away for a fortnight, he should not leave his cash and jewellery in the house," he says. Mr Mittal points out that the police correspondence with the residents welfare associations of various Sectors for increasing the number of watchmen and deputing a pradhan watchman has evoked a lukewarm response. The Tribune team spoke to residents in various Sectors to assess their security perception and the measures taken by them. While some suggested an anti-encroachment drive to weed out persons of dubious antecedents, other favoured raising the boundary walls of their respective houses. Yet others expressed confidence in the conventional security measures as keeping dogs and possessing firearms. A resident of Sector 21 says: "Self-patrolling or thikri pehra is the most effective preventive measure." Another senior citizen says that thieves take advantage of frequent power breakdowns. Mr Mohinder Singh, president, NSUI, Haryana, says: "Each house should have an underground alarm system with a parallel connection in the police station." Jatin Talwar, a student from Sector 6, is of the view that community camps to impart training in self-defence should be organised and made compulsory for the residents. He suggests letting out a part of the house to reliable tenants and says: "People here have done away with one-tenth of their living space only to make their surrounding more safe and secure." Mr Jagdish Saini, a resident of Sector 8, says that the slums serve as sanctuaries for criminals where the police never goes to verify their antecedents. The SP, however, says that the police conducts combing operations in slums and verifies the antecedents of new persons. Asked whether the police has taken any concrete measures to provide security to vulnerable targets, he says: "If such cases come to our notice, we do take care. About two months ago, we sought the assistance of the Senior Citizens Council (SCC) to help identify the elderly people residing in Panchkula. They are yet to provide us the list." Mr S.K. Sharma, general secretary of the SCC, says that the council wants the Panchkula police to provide protection to the elderly people by following the HAPS (Help Aged Persons Scheme) launched by the Chandigarh police. (To be concluded) |
Saroj likely to be CMC
Commissioner CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — Mr Kirpa Shankar Saroj, an IAS officer of the 1989 batch belonging to the Punjab cadre, is likely to succeed Mr Satish Gathwal as Commissioner of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (CMC). The name of Mr Saroj appeared in a revised panel of three names sent by the Punjab Government to the Chandigarh Administration. The others in the panel were Mr Roshan Lal Kalsia, who belongs to the 1988 batch, and Mr Roshan Lal Kapoor of the 1990 batch. Earlier, the Punjab Government had recommended the names of Mr Chhabilendra Roul (1985 batch), Mr Bibekananda Sarkar (1986 batch) and Mr Satinder Pal Singh and Mr Sukhpal Singh Gill (both 1988 batch). The administration, however, returned the panel and asked for fresh names. The administration needed an officer of the 1988 or a junior batch as the Finance Secretary, Dr G. Vajralingam, who is also the Secretary, Local Government, belongs to the 1986 batch. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration has asked the Haryana Government for sending more names for consideration for the post of Chief Executive Officer, Chandigarh Housing Board. The post has fallen vacant following of the repatriation of Mrs Asha Nayyar to her parent UT cadre. The Haryana Government had
earlier sent the names of Mr Ashok Khemka, Mr Lal Singh
and Mr Howell for the post of CEO. |
Remand in Burail Jail case
extended CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The Judicial Magistrate, Mr A.K. Bishnoi, has extended the judicial remand of all eight suspects in the Burail Jail blow-up bid case until September 9. The suspects are Satnam Singh, Baljit Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Sitla Prashad Mishra, constable Balvinder Singh, Jaswinder Singh, D.S. Rajput and Jaspal Singh Dhillon. All of them were arrested
by the local police and were later remanded in judicial
lock-up. |
Caution against mustard oil CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The Chandigarh Administration has cautioned the residents against the use of adulterated mustard oil. In a press note issued today, the administration said that certain cases of supply of adulterated mustard oil had come to light in the Union Capital. The consumption of adulterated oil resulted in dropsy, the symptoms of which are feeling of vomiting, loose motions, bloated stomach and swelling of hands and feet. The Health Department of
the administration has launched a campaign to check the
samples of mustard oil to ensure that adulterated oil is
not sold in the city. |
7-year RI for Haryana policeman PANCHKULA, Aug 27 — A constable of the Haryana Police was today sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Panchkula, Mr Ved Pal Gupta, for committing an unnatural act with a student of the local Government College four years ago. The prosecution contended that on September 6, 1994, the victim, who was a student of Government College then , was intercepted by the policeman, Pala Ram, while on his way to his shop in Old Panchkula. The victim was then taken behind Saket Hospital, intimidated and the constable forced himself upon the victim and later fled from the scene. Following a complaint by Roshan Lal, the victim's uncle, in the Sector 5 police station, a case under Sections 323 , 377 and 506 of the IPC was registered against the constable. The CJM sentenced the
constable to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and
imposed a fine of Rs 500. |
Contempt notice to Commissioner CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — Mr Justice N.K. Sodhi issued notice to Mr S.K. Gathwal, Chandigarh's Municipal Commissioner, under the Contempt of Court Act in a contempt petition filed by the Housing Welfare Association, Sector 40-B, Chandigarh, through its executive member, Mr A.K. Sood. It has been alleged by the association that it had earlier filed a writ petition against the corporation not providing amenities such as roads, streetlights, landscaping, etc. as defined under Section 2(b) of the Capital of Punjab (Development & Regulations) Act, 1952, as made applicable to the city of Chandigarh, impleading the Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation as respondents. It was pleaded that on notice of the writ petition, the administration and corporation filed separate replies and shifted the responsibility on each other of providing the amenities. Thereafter of filing the miscellaneous application for clarification, the corporation filed an additional affidavit and gave an assurance of recarpeting the roads after it got a special grant of Rs 1.8 crore from the administration to undertake the work. It was submitted by counsel of the association that in view of the assurance given in the affidavit by the corporation, the writ petition was disposed of by the Division Bench with the observations that proper maintenance of roads, streetlights and parks would be done and congress grass cut regularly. Counsel contended that
despite assurances by the corporation nothing was done to
improve the condition of roads which had large potholes
and there was leakage from water pipes. This inaction of
the respondent attracted the provisions of the Contempt
of Court Act, and thus the defaulter was liable to be
dealt with accordingly. |
Campus
Beat CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — The Dean, Student Welfare, Panjab University, has decided to constitute a committee comprising student representatives from hostels to supervise the quality of food. Talking to TNS here today, Dr R.S. Grewal, DSW, said the decision was taken following a meeting of the hostel wardens, mess and canteen contractors, representatives of various student organisations and other students . Students aired their grievances, particularly those with regard to cleanliness and substandard quality of food. It was also pointed out that often the specified items were not available in the canteen. There were the maximum complaints with respect to the quality of dinner served to them. The DSW said students would be asked to supervise the kitchen themselves. One of the possible ways to improve the quality of food was to cut down on certain items in the menu. Dr Grewal said the university would spend about Rs 9 lakh on providing underground water storage facilities in each block of the hostels. The work has already started. Each tank in boys hostels would have a storage capacity of 3,000 litres and in girls hostels 8,000 litres. Teachers' rally: A large number of university and college teachers of the city braved heavy showers to participate in a rally and protest march to demand implementation of the UGC scales on the Panjab University campus here today . The speakers included Dr P.P. Arya, Prof Charanjit Chawla and Dr S.P. Gautam. Speakers criticised the government propaganda that the strike was politically motivated. Speakers criticised the "oppressive and anti-teacher attitude of the Haryana Government". It was pointed out that the Haryana Government had failed to implement the ESMA as the strike was legitimate. The government would not be allowed to implement the " no-work, no-pay" rule, Dr M. Rajivlochan, secretary of the Panjab University Teachers Association, said. Meanwhile, sources said that a meeting of the principals of government colleges of the city was held with the DPI (colleges ) to review the situation in the wake of the strike. The principals are understood to have demanded "little more time " before any steps were initiated. Another meeting is expected to be held next week. ABVP demand: The ABVP has demanded that boycott of evaluation and re-evaluation work by the striking teachers should be ended in the interests of the students. A delegation of the organisation met the PUTA president, Dr S.P. Gautam, in this regard. The delegation also met
the Controller of Examinations, Dr Sodhi Ram, who assured
it that the results of all postgraduate classes would be
declared next week. He said the re-evaluation results of
all classes would be declared before the commencement of
supplementary exam on September 29. |
Crime
File CHANDIGARH, Aug 27 — In separate cases, two city residents have been collectively cheated of Rs 24. 66 lakh by travel agents promising to send them abroad. Mr Jang Singh, hailing from Jandiala district of Ludhiana, has alleged that Mewa Singh, Satbir Kaushik, Hari Om Kaushik and Kuldeep Singh, all residents of Delhi, had taken Rs 19.5 lakh from him on the pretext of sending him abroad. The deal never materialised and the money was also not returned. The Sector 39 police has registered a case under Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC. In another case, Mr Sukhwinder Singh of Sector 4, Panchkula, has alleged that he along with four others had paid a sum of Rs 5.61 lakh to Jarnail Singh. Jarnail Singh, who has an office in Sector 22, had promised to send them abroad. A case has been registered Cars stolen: Two cars have been stolen from the city in the past 24 hours in separate incidents. A car (DL-3-CC-4799) owned by Mr Manjit Singh of Sector 22 was stolen from Sector 41. Meanwhile, a car (DL-3-CF-6211) owned by Mr Arjun Singh of Sector 5 was stolen from his residence. Body found: A woman in Sector 33 was threatened with dire consequences by two unidentified youths who entered her home. A case has been registered. Meanwhile, a person was found dead in the PGI on Wednesday. PANCHKULA School bus: The high-drama involving the alleged hijacking of a school bus from Sector 6 here on Wednesday was solved with the arrest of one Joginder Singh, a local resident, on Thursday. The SP, Mr Alok Mittal, said Dharmendar Singh, a resident of Sector 44, Chandigarh, complained to the police that a school bus (CHW 5590 ) attached with Sacred Heart High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh , was hijacked by Joginder Singh, a former driver of the bus, along with his five accomplices. He said the school bus and the Maruti car allegedly used by the suspects in the crime had been recovered by the police. The other accomplices are yet to be arrested. Cops suspended: Three cops posted at the Sector 2 police post have been placed under suspension for alleged dereliction of duty in connection with the robbery in Sector 21 on Sunday last. The suspended policemen are SI Hardeep Singh Lamba, incharge of the Sector 2 police post, ASI Ram Niwas and Sepoy Baldev Singh. Stolen
items recovered: The police has recovered stolen
manhole covers from Santosh Rani , a resident of Mauli
Jagran in Mani Majra. The woman was found in possession
of the stolen items in Sector 10 on Wednesday by the
police. |
Cultural scene CHANDIGARH: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations, in collaboration with the Punjab Cultural Affairs Department, organised a programme of Indian classical music at the Punjab Arts Council on Thursday evening. Under its monthly cultural schedule called 'Horizons', a vocal recital by O.P. Gupta, head of the Department of Music, Pracheen Kala Kendra, was arranged. It was attended by a handful of people. O.P. Gupta has been trained under the guidance of Pt. Amarnath of the Indore Gharana, who is also noted for his book, ' Living Idioms of Classical Music'. Presently teaching music, O.P. Gupta has also learnt sitar and has a passion for photography. But the recital could not aptly create images of a rainy day. In his soothing voice, he began the evening with the vilambit khayal. This was followed by the tarana in the dhrut laya and then in the madhya laya. This notes, full of technical finesse, however, sometimes seemed to drift away. His final rendering of miyan ki malhaar was in tune with monsoon season. O.P. Gupta was accompanied
by Prithvi Raj on the harmonium, Pawan Kumar on the table
and H.R. Bhatia on the violin. — Sonoo Singh |
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