& V I C I N I T Y
Friday, July 31, 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, July 31, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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'India must emerge as
economic super power' |
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 MCC targets
motor-mechanics |
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Family
counselling service |
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'India must emerge as
economic super power' CHANDIGARH, July 30 — "The sanctions imposed on India by the USA in the wake of the Pokhran nuclear tests have jolted our leaders from a long slumber and will make them realise that the idealistic foreign policy pursued over the past 50 years has achieved little by way of our standing in the world pecking order. It has few takers in the present unipolar world." This was one of the observations made by Mr Hari Jaisingh, Editor, The Tribune, while addressing an august gathering of Army officers at the Maneckshaw Auditorium in Chandimandir this evening. Lieut-Gen H.B. Kala, GOC-in-C, Western Command, and senior officers of the command were present on the ocassion. Speaking on the American policy towards India after the sanctions, he said that the USA had always supported Pakistan as India was one of the founding members of the non-aligned movement. The policy served the country well at that time. In pursuit of this vision, Jawaharlal Nehru did not enter into a military alliance with the USA --a folly which India was to awaken to in the North-East later on. It is ironic that China, which was once the enemy of the USA, today enjoyed the most favoured nation status (MFN), while a peace-loving country like India had to prove its credentials before the world. Another point to be put across to the USA, he said, was the location of two nations who had been at war with us in the past and the need for a deterrent. Mr Jaisingh said that though India had joined the nuclear club, the USA cannot tolerate the dilution of its hegemony and its monopoly over the currency of power. He said that it was because of this that countries which were under the US nuclear umbrella were being prompted with loans and aid packages. Another reason for its pro-China stance was the market potential of China and the fact that US policies were driven by economics. So it had to tap the vast Chinese market. Even initial reservations on human rights abuses at the time of granting MFN status were conveniently brushed under the carpet by the American leadership because of market compulsions, he added. The need of the hour for India was to do some serious soul-searching and tighten our belts to cope with the sanctions." We have to build India into an economic superpower", he asserted. Earlier, Gen Kala welcomed
the speaker and said that India figured on the fringes in
the global context." We have to make the country a
major player in the economic as well as the political
field", he added. |
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MCC targets motor-mechanics CHANDIGARH, July 30 — Continuing with its anti-encroachment drive, the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh (MCC) today removed encroachments from the Motor Market, Sector 28 and parts of Sectors 32 and 46. The drive, which is being carried out under the directives of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, started around 6 a.m. in motor market. Led by Dr Amar Pal Singh, and Mr S.M. Sharma, Secretary and Assistant Commissioner of the MCC, the enforcement staff of the civic body seized 60 tool boxes of mechanics, who had encroached upon government land. Three condemned jeeps and one car were also towed away by the staff. Similarly, 32 others doing business on government land were also 'challaned'. 12 trucks, one crane and one JCB were pressed into service during the operation. A strong posse of the police accompanied the staff and no untoward incident was reported. However, the agitated auto-mechanics blocked traffic for some time in protest against the anti-encroachment drive and sat in dharna. Sector 28 market was also closed in protest. Dr Amar Pal Singh said that 35 truckloads of the material were seized by the staff. In another drive, as many as 56 permanent structure on government land were demolished in Sectors 32 and 46. Officials said the structures, which were within 15 feet of road berms, had been illegally erected by residents. The structures demolished were on the road separating Sectors 31 and 47 from Sector 32 and 46. Meanwhile, the Auto-Mechanics Federation, in a memorandum to the Adviser to Administrator, Mr Jagdish Sagar, urged him to let mechanics operate from the motor market till alternatives sites were given to them. Mr V.P. Vadhera, chairman of the federation, said as the Punjab and Haryana High Court in its judgement on April 4, 1997, had asked the Chandigarh Administration to provide alternative sites to members of the federation within two years, the administration should see to it that mechanics were not "uprooted" from their present sites. He urged Mr Sagar to
expedite the process of granting alternative sites to the
mechanics as a fresh survey had already been conducted. |
Protests against demolition move CHANDIGARH, July 30 — Residents of Nayagaon village held up traffic near the Punjab Chief Minister's residence in Sector 2 to protest against the proposed demolitions of houses built in violation of the Periphery Act, following directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, here this morning. Agitators from the village and other areas and localities where houses had come up in violations of the act, started assembling at 6 a.m. and raised slogans against the authorities. The blockade continued till noon after which a memorandum was submitted to the OSD to the CM. Addressing the gathering, leaders of the Ghar Bachao Committee said that the government could not provide houses for everyone and was preventing the people from doing so themselves. The action of PUDA in sending notices to them was callous, they added. He said no one had bothered to do anything when the houses were coming up and now, when hundreds of people had invested their hard earned money, they were being asked to move. We will not take the matter lying down and all efforts will be made to stall the demolition. He said the present government had promised in its elections manifesto to address the issue but nothing had been done so far. The agitators also
collected money for their next course of action and
decided that they would sit in dharna from Monday onwards
at the Housing Board Roundabout till their demands were
not met. |
Quiz master tips schoolchildren PANCHKULA, July 30 — One only achieves if one dreams about his goals in life said Derek O'Brien, a well known quiz master while interacting with children of Hans Raj Public School here today. O'Brien goaded children to be aware of happenings around them. Reading at least one newspaper should be part of a child's daily routine. There is something to be learnt from all activities including reading, watching TV, holidaying and eating, he said. Children in turn quizzed Derek about his hobbies and his path to success. O'Brien said he travels in order to learn. He was on tour at least 20 days a month. However, this was his first visit to Chandigarh. O'Brien did his schooling at St Columbus, Delhi, and St Xaviers, Calcutta. He went on to graduate in English honours from Calcutta. Son of Niel O'Brien, also a famous quiz master, he participated in quiz contests while in school. During his college days he started conducting contests and his first professional show was at the Indian School of Mines Dhanbad, where he was given a first class return ticket as his fee. He also worked as a journalist for a newspaper in Calcutta for a year before quitting to join an advertisement agency, where he worked for seven years. For the past about seven years compering quiz contests is his full-time vocation. He is in the city in connection with a quiz contests at YPS, SAS Nagar tomorrow. As many as 30 schools from the city and its vicinity are expected to participate. The top team will go on to a show to be televised in Bombay. Preliminary rounds of the
quiz contest are being held in 7 countries, including at
66 cities in India. |
Campus
Beat CHANDIGARH, July 30 — A steering committee of Panjab University today granted permission to all colleges that applied for the bachelor of business administration (BBA) and the bachelor of computer application (BCA) courses in their institutions from the 1998-99 session. As many as 19 affiliated colleges had applied for both courses while four colleges applied for the BBA course alone. Another four colleges had applied only for the BCA course. The steering committee also decided not to give more than one unit each of the courses to one college at a time. All colleges of the city except MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, have applied for the courses. GGDSD College, Government College for Boys, Sector 11, and DAV College for Boys, Sector 10, have applied for both courses. Admission schedules, however, differ in the local colleges. Government College, Sector 46, will commence the admissions tomorrow, Major D.P. Singh, principal of the college, said. The college received approximately 625 forms. Students with over 75 per cent marks will be interviewed on the first day. The seats in the general category are expected to be filled tomorrow itself, he added. Major D.P. Singh said
students would be required to pay the fee tomorrow
itself. |
Bobby keen to act in Punjabi
film CHANDIGARH, July 30 — "Kareeb" team's undying love for Punjab and its culture emerged as a highlight at a press conference addressed by Bobby Deol, Neha and Vidhu, Venod Chopra, at the Chandigarh Press Club here this evening. Vidhu, the director of the film, said Bobby mentioned several times during the process of their journey to the city that he wanted to buy a farm and stay here. Bobby said that he was more than willing to do a Punjabi movie. Neha is floored by the character and beauty of the city. Bobby said he was amazed at the love that his family received in this part of the country. Asked about "very little" done by the family for Punjabi films, he quipped: "Main to chhota hoon. Papa bade hain. Ask him?". The team was in the city as part of the promotional trip for the latest release. It also provided an opportunity for media interaction with Neha who had been kept away from the media glare during the making of the movie. Bobby at the outset said: "Mainu afsos hai, main Punjabi nahi bol sakda (I am sorry I can't speak in Punjabi). The last time I really stayed in Punjab was when I was 11 years old." I am proud of my homeland. I owe my success and my career to my father and my brother". Neha who seemed
microphone-shy said she enjoyed doing the film. |
Crime
File PANCHKULA, July 30 — The body of a constable, Mohinder Singh, who was posted as wireless operator at Mandawala police post in Kalka, was found lying in a field near the Bhima Devi Temple complex in Pinjore, near here, today. Though the autopsy report of the victim is yet to come, the police suspects that the cop had been bitten by a snake. The constable was reportedly seen in an inebriated state near the temple last evening. According to the police, he was on leave for the past two months as he was building his house in Pinjore. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, who visited the scene said the autopsy report was awaited. CHANDIGARH Beaten up Driver hurt Car stolen Clarification |
CITCO hotels to offer discount CHANDIGARH, July 30 — CITCO has decided to offer discounts in its hotels from August 1 to 30, to mark 50 years of India's Independence. A press note said here today that the CITCO hotels would offer 10 per cent discount on food from August 1 to 30. The discount would be 20 per cent in restaurants of Hotel Shivalikview and Hotel Mountview on August 14 and 15. Besides, buffet lunch would cost Rs 100 at Hotel Shivalikview. The Chandigarh Yatri Niwas, besides giving a 10 per cent discount from August 1 to 13 and 20 per cent discount on August 14 and 15, would organise a food festival from August 7 to 9. Those who frequent Sukhna Lake restaurants would get a 20 per cent discount on food, boating and amusement games. A food festival would be held on August 14 and 15. A complimentary trip for senior citizens above 65 with lunch and tea at Pinjore would also be undertaken. Similarly, the trainee teacher of the Chandigarh Administration would be taken for a local sight seeing tour on August 8 and 9. CITCO has also planned a
food festival at the Community Centre, Sector 33, on
August 14 and 15 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
Family
counselling service CHANDIGARH, July 30 — The Servants of the People Society has launched family counselling for motivation, awareness and rehabilitation of children. The service will be
available on telephone no 543689 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, a press note said here today. |
Traffic curbs for jubilee function CHANDIGARH, July 30 — Certain traffic restrictions have been imposed by the Chandigarh Traffic police for the function to mark the closing of the golden jubilee celebration of 50 years of India's Independence. About 25,000 school children will assemble in the cricket stadium, Sector 16 on Saturday at 10 a.m. They shall start coming in by buses and other vehicles from 8.30 a.m. onwards. To manage traffic the road stretch from the cricket stadium roundabout to the small roundabout of Sector 16/23 (near Govt Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 23), shall remain closed to the general public from 8 a.m. onwards, till after the function. Members of the public have
been advised to follow alternative routes. School
authorities have been requested to bring the children in
the vehicles to the small roundabout of Sector 16/23
(near Govt Model Sr Sec School, Sector 23), and park
vehicles in the school ground or in front of the boundary
wall of the school across the road. |
NGOs to be involved in literacy
plan PANCHKULA, July 30 — The administration will seek the help of social organisations to achieve the objective of total literacy in the district. The Deputy Commissioner said this at an open darbar organised by the administration at Bharelly village in Barwala block, near, here yesterday. She said that Rs 46 lakhs, which had been sanctioned by the state government, would be spend in this regard. Meanwhile residents of Bharelly, Sagrana, Sultanpur and Bataur villages aired their grievances at the darbar. Residents of Sagrana
village demanded local bus service. The gram panchayats
of Bataur and Sultanpur villages sought the replacement
of power transformers in their respective villages. |
All-faith library inaugurated CHANDIGARH, July 29 — Baba Hardev Singh, the spiritual head of the Nirankari Mission, today inaugurated an all-faith library at Nirankari Satsang Bhavan in Sector 30 here today. The Baba described all religions as branches of one supreme religion called humanity. He said the unity of mankind is related with sincere and detailed study of various religions. The library will be
expanded in a phased manner and by year 2000 it will have
over 2000 reference books on all major world religions
and ideologies.
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