& V I C I N I T Y
Sunday, August 30, 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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Sunday, August 30, 1998 |
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3 of family burnt to death |
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 No known antidote for dropsy CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 – There is no known antidote for the toxins that cause dropsy, which causes oedema in the body, informs Prof B.K. Sharma, Director, PGI. He says the toxins that are caused due to the adulteration of mustard oil dilate the blood carrying capillaries and water fills in them. The toxins also attack the heart and affect the metabolism of the body. |
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................................... 2.13 lakh award against Housing
Board Crime in Panchkula-VI 10
years' RI for smuggling |
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3 of family burnt to death CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — Three members of a family, including a woman and child, travelling on a scooter died in a bizarre road accident on the road dividing Sectors 37 and 38 here around 8.30 pm tonight, when their scooter collided head on with an ambassador car. The car caught fire killing Ms Aasia, 27, and her son Aamir Khan, 6 , on the spot. The third victim, Mustafa, 32, the scooter driver and husband of Aasia, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI an hour and a half later. The bodies of the victims were charred beyond recognition. A two and half year old girl, Sazia, however, escaped with minor injuries. An employee of the Punwire, Param Dev Sharma, who was travelling in the car, was seriously injured in the accident. He has been admitted to the PGI. The identity of the car driver could not be established as he fled the spot. The car, a taxi (CH-02-0405) operating from a taxi stand in Sector 20, was hired by Punwire Telecom, based in SAS Nagar. Aasia's charred body was found below the front bumper of the car while the body of Aamir was found lying near the right rear door. The front axle of the scooter had broken and fallen 6 to 8 feet away from the scooter. According to a police theory the scooter, may have gotten entangled with the front bumper of the car upon collision as it had been dragged for more than 30 metres. In the process, the sparks emanating from the bodies of the scooter and the car resulted in the fire. A fire tender extinguished the flames and even removed the injured Mustafa to the PGI. Mustafa, a painter by profession, and his family had gone to meet relatives in Badheri village this evening and were returning to their home in Janata Colony in Sector 25 when the accident occurred. The taxi had gone to Sector 18 on official work and was returning to SAS Nagar. Though the police managed to have some information about the taxi driver, efforts to trace him proved futile. In the meanwhile, Sazia, the two-and-half-year old daughter of Mustafa, who escaped with minor injuries, is the lone survivor in her family. The lone survivor was probably thrown out of her mother's hands by the impact of the collision and fell on the grass along the left side of the road. The girl, who suffered a
minor injury to her left hand, was fast asleep while her
relatives were busy taking her parents and her brother to
the morgue at the PGI at midnight. |
Remove 'goonda' elements:
students CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — The Panjab University authorities are yet to give any evidence of concrete action with regard to incidents of violence the campus has witnessed over the past one year . A student was wounded on the day the results of elections to the campus council were declared in September 1997. In November, a supporter of the Students Organisation of Panjab University was badly injured in the campus market . He received over 100 stitches. This was followed by the infamous stripping incident a few days later in which an office-bearer of the Panjab University Students Union was stripped at the Students Centre. The same day a student of the Punjabi department was thrashed . The shoot-out incident on August 21 in which a former president of PUSU, Kuljit Nagra, was involved is seen as a sequel of the earlier incidents. Nearly 15 students have been named in different FIRs in these incidents and there are chances of more following the suit unless "the university authorities wakes up and initiates the constitution of a mechanism to identify the criminal elements and weed them out " . A former president of the Students Council on the condition of anonymity said the campus had seen similar kinds of violence in the early '80s when there were two dominant groups — namely the Cheema and the Makhan Singh groups . Display of muscle power was common and there were also incidents of shoot-outs. During the same period, Rajinder Deepa, a senator, who lost his first elections as the vice-president candidate by one vote was allegedly bashed up by his rivals. In February 1989, Kuljit Nagra was brutally wounded at the Students Centre . A member of the senate said by and large the periods when direct elections were not held the campus remained peaceful. The periods preceding 1977, when the first direct elections were held, and that after 1984 when elections were banned after Operation Bluestar had been peaceful. A majority of the student organisations, however, are of the view that direct elections should not be done away with. "Remove the goonda elements and allow common students to participate in democratic process", Mr Arun Sood, from the ABVP said. Dr I.M. Joshi from the Department of Chemistry said he had raised the point of regulating the student entry and related steps for a better academic atmosphere in the senate, but nothing concrete had come out of it . Nagra himself had demanded a "judicial inquiry to expose the criminal elements." The university in a press release a few days ago said "necessary steps would be taken to ensure discipline in the university". An appeal was also made to the students and teachers to help maintain values and ideals for which the university is known . Critics, however, point out that the warning came rather too late and steps to maintain peace should go on all through the year. The Dean, University
Instructions, Dr I.B.S. Passi, when contacted said the
university was keeping a close watch on the whole
situation. |
No known antidote for dropsy CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 – There is no known antidote for the toxins that cause dropsy, which is of three types and causes oedema (swelling) in the body, informs Prof B.K. Sharma, Director, PGI. Prof Sharma, who is an international expert on internal medicine, authored a research paper 15 years ago when some cases of dropsy were last reported at the PGI. The cases had then come from Rajasthan. He says the toxins that are caused due to adulteration of mustard oil dilate the blood carrying capillaries and water fills in them. The toxins also attack the heart and affect the metabolism of the body. In some cases kidney failure can also occur, he added Dropsy has to be managed according to the symptomatic needs of the patient. The toxins exit the body naturally over two to three weeks. Cases of dropsy are known to occur in August and September when mustard oil is extracted. Any toxin generated by accidental mixing with the agremone weed die a natural death if the oil is consumed four months later the Professor added. Apart from the oil of agremone mexicana (popularly known as prickly poppy), which grows in abundance in the north-western region and matures at the same time as mustard, other liquids used to adulterate mustard oil are FFA, left over from byproducts refining sunflower oil. FFA is mostly used in the soap industry. Doctors, on the other
hand, say that an adulterant TCP (trycre-synphosphate) is
also used to contaminate edible oils. Given the symptoms
of the patients of Delhi and other parts the possibility
of a new adulterant could not be ruled out. |
Sale of mustard oil banned CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — Even as the Chandigarh Administration today banned the sale of loose mustard oil in the Union Territory, people of the lower economic strata remain unaware even of the name of the much talked about disease, dropsy, primarily caused by consumption of food cooked in adulterated mustard oil. While no cases of dropsy has been reported in any of the three hospitals in the city so far, the UT Health Department was not taking any chances. Today it took fresh samples of mustard oil from 10 shops located at various places in the city. Unpacked mustard oil is mostly sold in small quantities in the numerous labour colonies and villages in the UT. A Tribune team visited a shop in Ram Darbar and found that mustard oil was being sold from an open and dirty tin can. None of the buyers questioned the seller about the brand name or were aware about the outbreak of "dropsy " in several parts of the country. A similar story was repeated in Kajheri, colony number 4, Bapu Dham and the villages that have a large population of migrant labour. Even shopkeepers selling the oil had a callous approach, although many of them knew that the oil could cause problems for its consumers. A shopkeeper in Ram Darbar, when asked about dropsy said "assi kee kariae mall tan vaichana hi hai. Mere ton nahi laenge kisi hor ton kharid laenge " ( What can I do , I have to sell the stocked oil. If I do not sell it the consumer will buy it elsewhere) Meanwhile, the reports of 23 samples of the oil collected in past two days have come in with no adulteration found in any of them, sources in the Health Department said. As the teams of the department went about taking samples several of the retailers, apprehending raids, moved stocks elsewhere. Most samples were collected from shops frequented by poor people. The Director Health Service, Dr R.S. Sandhu says action under the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) will be taken against those who are found to be selling loose oil and also the five packaged brands that have been banned. He, however, admitted that no action had been taken yet against the roadside vendors who use mustard oil for frying pakoras, jalebis and other eatables. Dr Sandhu, who is also the Food Health Authority, said a close watch was being kept on patients coming to the hospitals. The department has asked the public to inform Dr G. Dewan, the Local Health Authority, at telephone numbers 781525 (0) and 705509 (R) in case of any doubt and clarification in this matter. Meanwhile the General Hospital, Sector 16 has decided that any case coming from outside Chandigarh will be labelled as "imported case". The health department officials have also requested the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that all trucks carrying mustard oil entering the city are stopped at the border and samples taken. The trucks will be allowed to proceed once the sample is cleared. Doctors at the PGI and the
GMCH confirmed that no case had been received so far. |
2.13 lakh award against Housing
Board PANCHKULA, Aug 29 — The local consumer forum has directed the Haryana Housing Board (HHB) to refund Rs 2.13 lakhs to a consumer for gross negligence in construction of a HIG flat at Bhiwani. The board will have to pay 18 per cent interest on the basic amount from the date of receipt of the payment. The board has been directed to recover 50 per cent of the amount of compensation from the officials responsible for the negligence. Besides, a compensation of Rs 25, 000 on account of physical harassment has also been awarded to the consumer. The order was passed by Mr R.C.Taneja, the President, Mr V. Aditya and Ms Rekha Sharma, both members, of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on the basis of a complaint filed by Mr Diwan Sharma, a local resident. Mr Sharma, in his complaint, alleged that he was allotted a HIG (L) flat in the Housing Board colony at Bhiwani after a draw of lots in 1991. He deposited the requisite amount and complied with all the formalities of the board. He alleged that due to personal pre occupations he could not visit his flat for six years. When he visited it in April 1997 in connection with handing over its keys to one of his relatives for the marriage of the latter's daughter, he found it in a deplorable condition. Inquiries on his part from the owners of the neighbouring flats revealed that locally available brackish ground water,unfit for construction purposes, had been used for the flats. The complainant reported the matter to the board authorities and asked for refund of the basic amount with interest and compensation for harassment. The board, on being served notice by the forum admitted the basic contents of the complaint, but said that after handing over physical possession of the flat it was the duty of the complainant to look after his property. The forum, in its order observed that the officials of the board overlooked the use of brackish water, containing chemicals and salts, by the construction agency, thereby drastically reducing the life span of the flat and making it unfit for human habitation. The board has also been
directed to pay Rs 1000 to the consumer as costs. |
Crime in
Panchkula-VI PANCHKULA: Mr Dheeraj Chibber , a resident of Sector 7, lost his Maruti car on August 25 at about 8.30 p.m. He had parked his car outside his house. Frantic efforts by him to trace the car were in vain. He approaches the police post of his area to lodge a complaint without losing much of time. "You have been very quick to come here", are the words that greet him at the police post. Afterwards the policeman pays no attention to him. To break the deadlock, Mr Chibber mentions a few "contacts" so as to get quick attention from him, but to no avail. He is, however, told to come there the next morning. The next morning he is informed that since the Chief Minister is in town to lay the foundation stone of a building, the police is busy in managing his security. So nothing happens even after 16 hours of the theft of his car. A harassed and disappointed Mr Chibber returns home and decides to use his "contacts" to get a case registered. And "contacts" work to his great relief. He gets a call from the police station in the evening that a case has been registered and that he can get a copy of the FIR the next day. Let us look at another case. Mr Ketan Mehan , who lost his pager in the Sector 7 market, approaches the police post of the area with a written complaint. The policeman on duty first interrogates him about the sequence of events that led to the theft of his pager. He tries to explain that he had gone to a fast food shop in the market leaving his pager in the glove box of his scooter. When he returned after having food, the pager was gone. "Why did you go to the restaurant to get food, don't you eat at home?" is a question posed to him by the policeman on duty. He is then told to wait for an hour as the in charge had gone out . He returns after an hour to face yet another round of interrogation.His complaint is then put in an almirah and he is told to come in the morning. Feeling harassed and humiliated, he gives up the idea to get the case registered and resolves not to go to the police again. In the third case, Mr Rakesh , a resident of Chandigarh, lost his motor cycle in Sector 5 here on August 25 at around 12.25 p.m. Information about the stolen bike is immediately given by him to the police station of the area. Instead of registering an FIR he is told to come at 7 p.m.. He again visits the police station at around 8 p.m. but is made to wait. By chance, the DSP of the area happens to visit the police station during a routine check. It is at his instance that an FIR is registered. These cases reflect the apathy of the police towards complainants who run to police stations with the fond hope that the police will swing into action and help them in solving their problems. But the reality is different. Valuable time and clues are lost because of these "inordinate delays" in the registration of cases and passing on of vital information to policemen on "naka" and patrol duties in different parts of the town. Interviews with residents reveal that they go to a police station only as a last resort knowing very well that they will be "harassed" rather than helped. But at times, they have no choice. For example, if you happen to lose some documents on a Friday evening, you cannot lodge a formal complaint at least until Monday morning at any police station in Panchkula because you are required to furnish an affidavit along with your complaint to get a case registered. "This is done to
avoid bogus complaints," says a police officer on
the condition of anonymity. There are laws where the
police can punish you for making a false complaint. But
then, the onus is always on the public to prove
genuineness of their grievance or complaint. (Concluded) |
10 years' RI for smuggling CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr G.S. Sandhu, today convicted Rabinder Pal under the N.D.P.S. Act. The Judge sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, apart from paying a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Rabinder's co-accused, Vijay Dev Kohli, a resident of Delhi, was, however, acquitted in the case as there was no legal evidence to show that the accused had any knowledge about heroin being concealed in the car. According to the prosecution, six packets containing 6 kg of heroin were recovered from the car in which the accused were trying to escape from outside Hotel Shivalikview in December, 1995. To begin with, the police had registered the case against the four accused, including Palvinder Singh Randhawa and Manohar Singh. During the trial of the
case, Randhawa was declared a proclaimed offender, while
charges framed against Manohar Singh were quashed by the
Punjab and Haryana High Court in August, 1996. |
Residents complain to Adviser CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — The Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, today visited Sectors 29 and 43 to listen to grievances of people living there. He was accompanied by the Commissioner of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, the Chief Engineer of Chandigarh Administration and the Deputy Commissioner. Residents of Sector 29 complained about the poor upkeep of roads, inadequate water supply, non-functional street lights, poor upkeep of parks and open spaces and accumulation of rain water in low-lying areas. Sector 43 residents complained against frequent power failures due to the poor quality of feeder wires, uncontrolled vegetative growth, poor garbage disposal, and poor condition of cleanliness. Some of the residents wanted that all unauthorised constructions should be immediately removed. The Adviser assured the
residents of the two sectors that all necessary measures
would be taken to redress their genuine grievances. |
Vivek School bags debate trophy CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — Vivek High School bagged the inter-school debate trophy in a closely contested affair at the Government Arts Gallery auditorium here today. Vivek High School, being the host, handed over the trophy to the runner’s-up Shivalik Public School. The team from St Kabir stood third. The inter-school trophy is organised annually over the past 10 years. Tara Anand from the host school was declared as the best individual speaker. The second place went to Gyananjan from Carmel Convent and the third position was bagged by Gunjandeep from Guru Nanak Public School. Students came up with original and thought-provoking ideas on "The fast pace of life has dehumanised the family life". Speakers who spoke for the motion said the fast pace of life had affected emotional ties adversely. Disintegrating families were giving rise to cases of youngsters taking to drugs and other vices. Joint families were collective shock absorbers for emotional difficulties. Speakers pointed out that during times when both parents were working; the quantity of time spent with children was very little and unless parents devoted more time, the quality of time spent with children would not improve. Disintegrating families have brought about a state of affairs where elders lie unattended in old age homes, elders do not understand youngsters and couples are waiting to break free from each other’s bonds, speakers argued. Speakers, who spoke in
favour of smaller families and accepted pace as a way of
life, said the time devoted by parents might have been
reduced. However, there was a marked improvement in the
quality of time spent. Love during earlier times was
mingled with a fear for the elders. Now smaller families
have enhanced the element of friendship. Pace was
important for the development of the country and
development of mankind, speakers added. |
CHANDIGARH: It is good to see the city's dire need for more and good galleries being fulfilled. Now it can boast of two new venues where art enthusiasts can admire and discuss the subject of their heart and quench their soul. One gallery was opened by Alliance Francaise recently. The latest addition is at Indus Ind, Sector 8, which provides space to upcoming artists for 15 days free of cost. The first artist to avail of this convenience is Anju Pasricha. Anju claims to be a self-taught person in the field of painting but admits taking guidance from Ram Kumar Sharma. A participant in various group shows with a few solo shows to her credit, Anju is also a winner of AIFACS award for 1997. Besides these achievements, her works are displayed at various organisations. At Indus Ind art gallery it is a small exhibition, comprising 12 pieces. In these the artist has tried to depict an affinity between a male and a female. This has been brought out by making two faces, pink and grey in mixed media. Anju has also endeavoured to project the element of bestiality latent in human beings. This she has done by creating the face of a horse along with a human one. Landscapes in the form of trees have also found a place in this collection. Basically they have been placed to break the monotony. These two are in the technique of embossing. One of the two has a great depth and it seems as if one can see a row of trees for a long distance. There are a few terracotta products too on display. They are by Harvinder Kaur. The relief work on these pots is very neat and appealing. Special mention should be made of one showing a horse and the other is abstract. It has a triangular pattern coupled with two finely made faces. This show will be open
till September 15. — Priti Verma |
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