& V I C I N I T Y
Saturday, December 26, 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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Saturday, December 26, 1998 |
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Four more HC Judges likely CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court is likely to have four new Judges in the next couple of days. Gaiety marks Xmas celebrations CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Special church services and community lunches marked the Christmas celebrations in the city as also in the region. Wheat flour sale well received CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The decision of the Chandigarh Administration to supply wholemeal wheat flour through the public distribution system instead of wheat seems to have clicked in view of the response from consumers. |
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Peace
march by Tibetans
Takht
chief urged to ignore yatra Book
on AIDS released |
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Four more HC Judges likely CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court is likely to have four new Judges in the next couple of days. Those who are expected to be elevated to the High Court Bench are Mr A.S. Garg and Mr V.M. Jain, both senior Sessions Judges of the Haryana cadre, Mr Amar Datt, a senior Sessions Judge of the Punjab cadre, and Mr Jagdish Singh Kher, a leading High Court lawyer. Mr Satya Pal Jain, local M.P. told TNS that he called on the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Union Law Minister, Mr Thambi Durai, yesterday and stressed upon them to nod the appointment of these persons. Both of them assured Mr Jain that these appointments would be cleared in a couple of days. Mr Jain said he also told Mr Vajpayee and Mr Thambi Durai that more than 1 lakh cases had been gathering dust in the High Court, much to the chagrin of the litigants. He pointed out that the process of filling vacancies in other High Courts of the country had also been accelerated. The vacancies which have been lying vacant in other High Courts are also likely to be filled shortly. Against the sanctioned strength of 40, including the Chief Justice, the High Court has 23 Judges. It means that the Judges' strength has been reduced to a little over 50 per cent. While the strength of the Judges has fallen, the number of cases filed daily in the High Court have gone up. At times the Judges have so much work that they find it difficult even to dispose of motion hearing cases, let along hear regular cases or clear the backlog. The position of pendency
of cases is a source of worry, both to the litigants and
their lawyers. On the criminal side, instances are not
wanting where some of the persons had already undergone
imprisonment before the High Court pronounced decision
acquitting them of the charges levelled against them.
However, the relief given to them later is of no use.
Similarly, on the civil side appeals as old as 10 to 15
years have yet to be listed for disposal. |
Gaiety marks Xmas celebrations CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Special church services and community lunches marked the Christmas celebrations in the city as also in the region. The celebrations dawned on the City Beautiful as devotees thronged out of the various churches after the midnight services. Shouts of "Merry Christmas" and singing of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" reverberated in the cool midnight air as cars, scooters and other vehicles zoomed past in the wee hours of today. In different homes the Christmas gifts were exchanged. Those who failed to make it to the midnight services, were seen at the special morning services. The churches wore a fairyland look. The morning services were well attended. Then followed the community lunches. Different hotels and restaurants held special Christmas programmes. Those attending the special services included people belonging to different religions. There was a heavy demand for plum cakes. Special Christmas trees were put up in different homes. The children surrounded one of the family elders dressed as Santa Claus. While the city had a foggy
morning, Shimla wore a sunny look, disappointing the
tourists who had gone uphill hoping to experience a White
Christmas. |
Focus on Malaviya's vision of
India CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Delivering the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Memorial Lecture on "India in Retrospect'', Mr Kamaleshwar Sinha, Associate Editor, The Tribune, said here today that society had degenerated gradually and to bring about a change there was the need for addressing the wrongs at the point the degeneration had begun. The lecture was organised by the Banaras Hindu University Alumni Association of Chandigarh at ICSSR complex, Panjab University, to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit M.M. Malaviya. Mr Sinha began with a description of the personality of the Pandit, stating that he was a memorable figure in the Indian freedom movement, an outstanding nation-builder, and modest, cautious but firm in his assertion of Indian self-respect. He also said that a "profound impact on the Indian mind had come from path-finders like Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya for whom material gains were not a barometer. They embodied spirituality in its purest sense. Referring to the vivid description of India in her varied moods by Pandit Malaviya according to which "India is not her seas or rivers or the mountains — India is the people who have given her an identity", he spoke of Malaviya's vision of India,``a land where men and gods have often become mixed, clinging to continuity amidst change''. Citing a hymn from the Rigveda, The Song of Creation, Mr Sinha said that India existed from time immemorial, "as a legend which lived in the vision of her sages''.Each century, he added, had found representation in the country. Indians, he said, being accustomed to bearing continuous sufferings and attributing them to fate or God, formed the base of the Hindu religion. Religion absorbed everything approaching a revolution and some of these took the form of religious movements. So, a revolution was unheard of in the Indian context even as two world wars enveloped the world. Two shake-ups came with the revolt of 1857 and then the country was stirred by Mahatma Gandhi, when he came on to the national scene. The Indian revolution underwent a series of reformations though revolution is not total in character yet, and the nation-building process is on at many levels. Pilgrimages to shrines, for material and spiritual gains, continue along with technology taking over the production processes. There has emerged a struggle between "the ancient lethargies and the dynamics of modern production''. Old values, though not obsolete, will require courage and faith for the traditional society to face the future. Mr Sinha concluded his lecture with a word on the situation in post-Malaviya India. He said that 'alienation' would best define the modern times and "in order to belong you must not belong''. Man had stopped communicating with the world as well as with himself. Terming the present culture as a great illusion, Mr Sinha observed that the solution lies in "going back to the basics and back to the ennobling values.'' Mr Satish Bargodia, Chairman, Winsome group of industries, presided. Earlier, the lecture began with the "Kulageet" presented by Dr Madhukar Arya. A large number of
intellectuals from UP, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh
and Chandigarh were present. |
Wheat flour sale well received CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The decision of the Chandigarh Administration to supply wholemeal wheat flour through the public distribution system instead of wheat seems to have clicked in view of the response from consumers. The proposal to discontinue the practice of giving wheat to the card holders had been pending for long. It was being felt, in view of the poor response, that the people were not interested in the cumbersome procedure of taking the wheat and have it ground. The quality of wheat at times also left much to be desired. There were some fair price shops which reported very less lifting of wheat. According to sources in the Food and Supplies department, depot holders too had been urging the department to revert to the old practice of giving flour to the consumers. After the launch of the scheme last week all depot holders, there are 243 of them, have reported a good response and are readily accepting the required quantities of wheat flour from the department. While the price of the good quality flour in the open market varies from Rs 8.50 to Rs 9.50 a kg, the flour through the PDS has been priced at Rs 5. 52 a kg. It has been packed in cloth bags of 10 kg each. The depot holders have been directed to display banners at prominent places in and outside their shops so that the maximum number of people could avail of this facility. The first lot of flour was despatched to a few chosen fair price shops to judge the response and it was good, sources said. More than 25, 000 10 kg bags have been sold so far and an adequate buffer stock is being kept for meeting increased demand. The grinding of the wheat is being done at all the seven roller flour mills in the city under the supervision of food inspectors to ensure that the grinding is according to the specifications. In addition, staff members also visit shops to see that the issued lot of flour is being sold. In addition to the depots,
the wholemeal flour is also available through the two
mobile vans of the department, sources added. |
Miss Catwalk pageant held CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The 29 participants of the Miss Unique North '98 went through another preliminary round titled Miss Unique Catwalk organised at the Press Club, here today. Comprising three rounds, the show began with the casual round which saw the girls in long dresses with longer side slits, some in short skirts and still others in jeans with tank tops. The next round to judge the leggy beauties generated the excitement one usually associates with a beauty pageant. Attired in mini skirts, some even in shorts, with close fitting tops and high-heeled shoes, the girls seemed to be "walking on air''. The last round was the traditional round. The girls carried themselves gracefully in saris, suits and lehngas. The fillers between the rounds were provided by Jatin Bawa and his group of four members. The carefully selected catchy numbers were a treat to the ears and in tune with the show though the music system took time off once in a while. The participants were
presented mementoes at the end of the show. Miss Unique
Smile and Miss Beautiful Eyes were the other sub-events
which were judged today at other venues in the city. The
results of all sub-events will be declared on December
27, the day of the finale which is to be held in Tagore
Theatre. |
Jain, others greet Prime
Minister CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, today felicitated the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, on his 75th birthday. In a message to the Prime Minister, Mr Jain prayed for a long life to Mr Vajpayee so that he could serve the country for long. The Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Adiwal, the Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr K.L. Sharma; the Deputy Mayor, Mr Bachan Singh; the Leader of the House in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), Mr R.L. Arora, a former Mayor, Ms Kamla Sharma, and a Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr Prem Sagar Jain, also felicitated Mr Vajpayee. To celebrate the birthday of the Prime Minister, the Lions Club, Chandigarh Shivalik, in collaboration with the Azad Welfare Society, Mani Majra, organised a free eye camp at Mani Majra. As many as 260 patients were examined at the camp, which was inaugurated by Mr Satya Pal Jain. Those identified for operations have been admitted. The OPD will remain open
tomorrow, a press note said. |
Peace march by Tibetans CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Tibetan students affiliated with the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress today started a peace march from Chandigarh to New Delhi, With a view to seeking international support for Tibet. As many as 70 students are participating in the march, which was flagged off from the Students Centre of Panjab University by the local M.P. Mr Satya Pal Jain here today. The president of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Mr Tsewang Namgyal in a statement said that the demands of the organisation included resumption of debate on the question of Tibet on the basis of 1959, 1961 and 1965 resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly, appointment of a rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in China occupied Tibet and an unconditional release of all political prisoners, including the nine year old Panchen Lama, from different prisons in Tibet. Mr Jain in his address
said that he would take up the matter with the External
Affairs Minister. |
Dense fog for third day CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 (UNI) — Most of the north-western India reeling under dense fog for the third successive day for the second time in the past 10 days, was in the grip of cold wave conditions with day temperatures plummeting by 4°C to 10°C below normal. As the day advanced, ground fog started dissipating and by 3 p.m. the visibility improved to around 700 metres in and around Chandigarh and Palam (New Delhi). The day temperature in Chandigarh dipped to 10°C about 10°C below normal, to take it the coldest day of the winter so far and forcing Christmas holidayers to stay indoors. Srinagar, summer capital
of Jammu and Kashmir, reported a low -7°C. |
Takht chief urged to ignore
yatra CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The local unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal has requested the Jathedar of Akal Takht not to participate in the proposed four-day Deg Teg Fateh Sarbans Dani Shahidi Yatra being organised by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee from Muktsar to Anandpur Sahib. Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar president of the local unit, in a statement here today, said that he has written a letter to Jathedar of Akal Takht not to participate in the march which was nothing more than a "drama to befool the Punjabis." Mr Riar said in his letter
that it was the same Congress which attacked the Golden
Temple complex in 1984 and was responsible for killing of
hundreds of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of
the country in November,1984. "The Punjabis in
general and Sikhs in particular have not forgotten their
1984 experiences. In view of the sentiments of the Sikhs,
the Takht chief should not accept the invitation of the
Congress," Mr Riar added. |
Book on AIDS released CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Dr I.C. Pathak, a former Director of the PGI, released a book — "AIDS: ABC to XYZ" here today. Compiled and edited by Dr M.L. Bansal, Chief Editor of the Current Medical Journal, the book contains write-ups on different aspects of AIDS. Prof J.S. Chopra, founder Director-Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, honoured over 100 contributors of the journal. Mr Madan Gupta "Spatu", one of the members of the editorial board, welcomed the participants. Dr B.K. Sharma, Director,
PGI, and Dr V.K. Kak, Director-Principal of the GMCH,
applauded the role of the journal and the book in the
medical world. |
CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Mr Narinder Singh, Sub-Inspector, posted at the Pur Chand Katla police station in Fatehgarh Sahib district to release Ranjit Singh, son of Mr Ajaib Singh, if he was in his custody and not wanted in any criminal case, and also issued notice to him for January 11. The order was delivered by Mr Justice R.L. Anand yesterday on a petition filed by Mr Sukhvinder Singh, brother of Ranjit Singh. He alleged that Ranjit Singh (16), was picked up from his house. The respondent Sub-Inspector did not disclose any reason for taking him in custody. He also alleged that since December 15 the detainee had not been produced before any magistrate, as was mandatory. Therefore, his detention was illegal and unjustified. DPI (s) summoned Our legal correspondent adds: A Division Bench comprising Mr Justice R.S. Moogia and Mr Justice S.S. Sudhalkar directed the D.P.I. (Schools) to be present in the court when the writ petition filed by Mr Rattan Kumar Passi and nine others working as Masters and Mistresses in physical education in various government schools in Punjab seeking the creation of posts of lecturers in physical education and to promote them to such posts. In an additional affidavit filed in the court by Ms Parminder Aulakh, Assistant Director (Schools-II), it was stated that at present no post of lecturer in the subject would be created by the department. The bench observed that no
reason had been given why despite prima facie norms for
creating the post having been forwarded to the
authorities and the school principal having recommended
creation of the post why it could not be created in the
petitioners' schools. Let a specific affidavit be filed
by the competent authority, in this regard, it added. |
CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Deepak Kumar Tiwari, a resident of the Rohtas district of Bihar, was killed when a tractor-trailer crushed him near Burail village last night. According to the police, Tiwari was sitting on the mud-guard of the tractor-trailer and when he fell from the vehicle he was run over by it. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Paramjit Singh, has absconded. The police has impounded the vehicle and registered a case. Stolen: Sanjay Mehta, a shopkeeper of Industrial Area, in a complaint with the police alleged that brass bands worth Rs 27,000 have been stolen from his shop. A case has been registered. Attempt to bribe: Mr K.S. Thakur in a complaint with the police alleged that certain persons forcibly gave him an amount of Rs 1,000. The police is investigating Scooter stolen: The scooter of Mr Ranjan, a resident of Sector 24, has been stolen from Sector 17. A case has been registered. Panchkula The woman, Ms Ajit Kaur, with 25 per cent burns scalded with boiling water allegedly thrown at her by her in-laws, has been admitted to the local civil hospital. The police has registered a case against the in-laws — Baljit Singh, (husband), Bhagwant Singh, (brother-in-law), Thakur Singh, (father-in-law) and Harbans Kaur (mother-in-law) under Sections 307 and 498-A of the IPC. The brother-in-law of the
woman, Bhagwant, who was arrested by the police, was
remanded in judicial custody by the Duty Magistrate on
Friday. |
CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Daler Mehndi is back in town again after the recent fiasco at Mohali recently. A gift from Santa Claus for all those who want him to sing and make them dance away the cold winter blues! Daler Mehndi will be performing tomorrow at the Parade Ground in Sector 17. With the weather bureau claiming this Christmas to be the coldest in the past five years, it remains to be seen how many people would Daler be able to get out of their warm blankets and quilts. "I'm doing this concert in aid of the Association of National Brotherhood for Social Welfare, otherwise I'm booked till August next year and plan to do shows all over Punjab in September next year", Daler said at a press conference held at a hotel here today. Dressed in black and a matching sequinned turban Daler did not seem his bubbly self, with apprehension about tomorrow's programme writ all across his face. Clutching his rosary throughout the press conference, he added, "I'm not angry about the show that was not held at Mohali. If something bites you, you cannot always bite it back". When queried about the rumoured dismal sale of the shows tickets, the organisers said, "We are expecting a crowd of about 30000. We've had our share of difficulties. We wanted the entertainment tax to be lifted because the show is primarily aimed at children but we could not make it happen". The Daler Mehndi contest, which has been on for the past one week, to create awareness for the Daler Mehndi green drive among children, has given free passes for tomorrow's show and cassettes and CDs to the winning entries. The formal launch of the official web-site of Daler Mehndi was also announced today. The web-site has been launched to provide "greater accessibility to Daler Mehndi fans". The address of his site is www.daler.com. Talking animatedly, Daler
said, "The Jeewan Jyoti Institute, to which we would
be donating the proceeds of the show supports orphans and
mentally and physically disabled children and
rehabilitates drug addicts. I will always be available to
perform and raise funds for them". Daler was able to
persuade the scribes to dole out money for the same and
at the end of the conference collected about Rs 3,500
from them. |
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