& V I C I N I T Y
Sunday, November 1, 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, November 1, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Red letter day for Vegetable
prices continue to soar |
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 A horrific experience |
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Don't
ignore ear discharge Congress
councillors seek Chhibber's intervention Samiti
men to form 'human chain' today Orders
issued on Prof Kak's re-employment |
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Red letter day for 7 Light
Cavalry CHANDIGARH: For men and officers, both retired and serving, of 7 Light Cavalry, November 1 is a golden letters day. Fifty years ago it was on this day that this armoured regiment took its tanks to Zojila and opened the gateway to the Ladakh region. A number of veterans of the regiment, who actually fought the battle of Zojila, are expected to join the celebrations. Led by Lieut-Col Rajinder Singh "Sparrow", nearly 400 men of the cavalry celebrated their victory after 14-month-old war against Pakistan in Kashmir was brought to an end by a ceasefire declared on January 2,1949. Their excitement and celebrations were well justified as their achievements were ordained to be singular and unique. It had scored resounding wins in Shalateng, Uri, Naushera, Jhangar, Srinagar and Zojila. In winning the battle of Zojila, Colonel Sparrow (who later retired as Major-General before joining politics) and his men added a new dimension in the history of tank warfare through the audacious act of committing tanks to battle to an altitude of 11,580 ft. And for the gallant men and officers of 7 Cavalry, victory and glory were nothing new. Right from its inception in 1784, the regiment has fought only to win irrespective of inhospitable deserts of Persia and Afghanistan, jungles of Burma or snowclad Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir sector. It has won more than 250 gallantry awards, including one Victoria Cross, 21 battle honours and many theatre awards. The first Victoria Cross to be bestowed on an Indian cavalryman (LD Govind Singh), first Mahavir Chakra and Bar (Maj-Gen Rajinder Singh Sparrow) and the first Vir Chakra and Bar (Risaldar Kartar Singh) are all from 7 Cavalry. Those who fought Zojila still recall the sub-zero temperature inside Stuart tanks with chilly winds whistling past their ears at Zojila, 23 km from Sonamarg and at an altitude of 11,578 ft. For Capt Sarad Dev Singh Jamwal, the squadron commander, it was the end of a 26-day ordeal. From October 5 when he received orders to move his squadron to evict the enemy from Zojila pass till November 1, when he ultimately achieved it, he and his men had braved the enemy and the weather alike and moved the dozen war machines over the treacherous mountain tracks from Akhnoor to Srinagar and to Zojila. The bridges, where existed, were too weak to support tanks. These machines were dismantled and their turrets were removed to make them lighter.These were reassembled at Srinagar. Looking back, the young Captain feels elated that he did it. Lieut-Col Rajinder Singh "Sparrow" was fully conscious of the strategic and political importance of the mission. The Zojila pass links the Kashmir valley to the Ladakh region and lies across the age-old trade route between India and Tibet. After the garrison at Leh was repeatedly threatened by well entrenched Pak enemy, Major-Gen Thimayya, the then General Officer Commanding, decided to employ his tanks in a last bid to regain the control of the pass. The men and officers of 7 Light Cavalry had two things in their favour — enemy never expected them to bring in tanks and secondly, it had most experienced soldiers. At 10.30 a.m. on November 1, the Stuart tanks of Captain Jamwal's squadron ambled up the treacherous path up the pass and descended into the Gumri Basin with their guns blazing. The surprise was complete. The enemy was paralysed. The positions overrun by the tanks were occupied by Infantry, thus opening the road to Ladakh and a possible dismemberment of the nation was prevented. The golden jubilee
celebrations will be a grand reunion for three
generations of officers and men. The son of a captain who
fought the World War-II in Persia and six veteran
officers of the World War II from England and the
veterans of the 1948, 1961, 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars have
confirmed their participation in the celebrations. In
addition, the regiment is expecting a number of war
widows and children of veteran officers and men to attend
the ceremonies.
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A horrific experience of a couple CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — A retired defence couple may not be able to forget the last Infantry Day get-together for reasons other than their reunion with old colleagues. They had a harrowing experience on the Chandigarh-Panchkula road on their way back home from Chandimandir cantonment after the evening get-together. The couple — Brigadier and his wife Major— had retired from the Army Medical Corps (AMC) and is now settled in Sector 36 here. As they were returning home in their car shortly after 10 p.m. on the night of October 27, a young scooter rider overtook them and shouted at them, accusing the Brigadier for "erratic" driving. At the Housing Board roundabout, he came close to the drivers’ side. "I will teach you a lesson for overtaking from wrong side" he shouted at the Brigadier as the traffic, which had slowed down at the intersection, virtually came to a standstill. The couple tried to explain to him that they have been driving perfectly according to traffic rules. An Army officer, who was following the couple, in his car, intervened and corroborated what the couple said. After arguments the traffic started moving again. The scooter driver managed to forge ahead of the car of the defence couple. As they came close to the nurseries before the railway station crossing, noticing the deserted road, he started signalling the couple to stop. "He was driving dangerously in a zig-zag manner. I had to be extra careful to avoid hitting him as he was driving just a little ahead of our car." Ultimately, he stopped his scooter, blocking the way of the car. He briskly walked up to the Brigadier and ordered him to come out of his car. He then tried to snatch the keys. " "You come out of the car. I want to teach you a lesson," he shouted at the couple. "We panicked as his intentions were becoming clearer. He probably wanted to push us out of our car and snatch it," recalls the couple. In the meanwhile, the Army officer, who had earlier, intervened at the Housing Board roundabout, also reached and stopped. A police commando and a constable, who were spotted nearby, were also called.They initially maintained that they were not on duty but agreed to help. The boy, who was earlier threatening the couple, mellowed down as a big crowd gathered. The ex-defence medico couple insisted on handing over of the boy to the police. Both the constable and the police commando, however, expressed their helplessness and said that it was not "their duty". They were urged to call the police patrol or their colleagues from the control room. When a police contingent arrived, the boy was handed over to it. But to the great dismay of the couple, the "boy", whom the couple thought to be a "rowdy element and a scoundrel ", was let off by the police after a few minutes. The Brigadier, a skin specialist, and his wife, Major, a paediatrician, maintained that they never had such a harrowing time on the roads in the city. "We were really frightened by this rowdyism. Being old, my husband drives slowly. We were probably targeted because we are old and alone," the paediatrician said. She says that she was so confused that neither she nor her husband even asked the name of the Army officer who came to their rescue on both occasions. They even did not notice the registration number of the scooter. "All we remember is that it had a Haryana (HR) registration number," she adds. The couple maintains that there was no question of any wrong side overtaking or violation of traffic rules as there was hardly any traffic on the road at that time. Further, the couple laments the absence of any police patrol to ensure safety of road users within the city limits. Close to the heels of this
episode, a gold chain was snatched from a woman in Sector
23 on Wednesday by two motor cycle-borne youths. |
Corps
celebrates raising day CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Military Intelligence Corps celebrated its 56th raising day at Chandimandir today. The President and the Chief of the Army Staff and the Colonel Commandant of the corps have sent messages to the corps personnel for displaying admirable devotion with professional skill. Raised on November 1, 1942 as a part of the British Indian Army, the corps has come a long way from its modest beginnings and blossomed to an elite force of operationally efficient and professionally competent members of the intelligence fraternity. The corps server not only as the eyes and ears of the Army but also helps it to arrive at timely command decisions. The personnel of the corps have proved their mettle in various wars that the nation had fought besides combating insurgency in various parts of the country. Brig Dalip Kapur, Brigadier, General Staff, Military Intelligence, has the unique distinction of being honoured with a unit citation by the Army Chief, which is considered on a par with a theatre or battle honour. The medal tally of the
corps include one MVC, one KC, eight AVSMs, three YSMs,
19 SMs, 29 VSMs and 16 mention in despatches besides 12
COAS commendation cards. |
Vegetable prices continue to soar CHANDIGARH, Oct 31— Though there was no let-up in the upward trend in the prices of most vegetables, gourd and cucumber being the only exception which registered a slight fall today. The shooting up of prices of pulses persisted with arhar taking a lead as its price increased from Rs 44 per kg to Rs 45 within 24 hours. In a period of just three months, arhar has registered an almost 75 per cent as its price rose from Rs 28 in August to Rs 45 during this period. What
continues to create a chaotic condition for consumers is
the variation in the prices of vegetables and pulses in
different sectors. In case of certain commodities the
variation is even more than one-fourth of the price of
the commodity, which is evident from the prices collected
by TNS from different sectors. |
Security for politicians, others
being cut CHANDIGARH, Oct 31— The security cover provided to officials of the Chandigarh Administration, the police, politicians and other individuals in the city is being reduced, following guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs. A special committee, formed to review the security umbrella around each such protected individual, will submit its final report next week, highly placed sources confirmed. A few weeks ago the Home Minister, Mr LK Advani, had called a meeting of top police officials in which it emerged that a lot of policemen were being "wasted" on security duty as accompanying security personnel were more like a paraphernalia. The security categorisation that is made after assessing the threat perception of several officials, politicians and individuals is likely to be downgraded in this review. This will relieve a sizeable number of policemen from security duty as per the police estimates. The six-member committee comprises people from intelligence agencies like the CID wing, anti-terrorist squad and security wing of the Chandigarh Police besides officials of the Administration. The IG, Mr R.P. Singh,
while confirming the information said that "the
review has been ordered as per the ministry's orders on
the deployment of policemen on security duty." |
Housing firm told to refund Rs
86,250 CHANDIGARH , Oct 31 — The UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (II) has ordered a local housing development company to refund Rs 86,250 paid by a local consumer for not allotting possession of a flat within the stipulated period. Mr R.P. Bajaj, president, and Mr H.S. Walia and Ms Kamlesh Gupta, both members, gave the order on a written complaint filed by Mr Hira Lal Nayyar, an employee of the Punjab Cooperative Bank. Mr Nayyar in his complaint alleged that he applied for a flat in a scheme floated by the Northern Housing Development Corporation , Sector 41, in March, 1995 by depositing a sum of Rs 10,000. He was accommodated in allotment of a flat at Khuda Ali Sher for which he deposited another Rs 76,250. The housing company undertook to deliver the possession of the flat within 19 months of allotment. When there was no response from the corporation, he demanded the refund of his amount. He alleged that no construction work had started even seven months after the allotment. The corporation could not furnish a satisfactory reply for not having started the construction work. It was further revealed that the site for construction work had gone under litigation, leading to stoppage of construction work. The forum said that more than 25 months had elapsed since the allotment of the flat and there was no indication of the flat being handed over to Mr Nayyar in near future. The forum ordered the refund of Rs 86,250 with 15 per cent interest from the date of deposit till the date of actual payment. The housing company will
also have to pay Rs 1100 as costs within a month of the
receipt of the copy of the order. |
Tribune
employee retires CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — Mr K.D. Sharma, Deputy Manager, Circulation, The Tribune group of newspapers, retired today after 42 years of meritorious service. A farewell party was
organised for him by staff members of The Tribune where
the General Manager, Deputy General Manager and other
managers lauded his services. |
Don't ignore ear discharge CHANDIGARH, Oct 31— Discharge from the ears is a serious problem. In certain cases it could cause an abscess in the brain, or result in hearing problems and even impair the equilibrium of an individual, said Prof SBS Mann, head of the ENT department, PGI. He was talking to mediapersons on the opening day of the second north west zone temporal bone dissection cum-neuro-otology workshop at the PGI here today. This is the second workshop organised by the ENT department to impart on-hands training" to upcoming ENT surgeons in the region. Thirty delegates from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh are participating in the workshop. Dizziness and ringing in the ears is an indication that there could be a problem in the inner ear. The inner ear is the most difficult part of the ear to reach and requires skilled cutting of the bone. Dr Vikas Nehru said a thin bone divides the brain and the ear. Once this bone gave away, the disease could spread from the ears to the brain. In Chandigarh alone two
studies indicate that seven out of every thousand persons
have a problem with equilibrium. There are several
factors for this problem and one of them is hypertension,
the doctors said. |
Workshop on
songs concludes CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — A five-day workshop on songs of national integration concluded at Government College for Men, Sector 11, here today. The workshop also covered AIDS awareness, gender equality, world peace and energy conservation, Ms Madhu Bala, a youth officer of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, said. An audio cassette of the songs composed during the workshop was recorded on the concluding day. All songs have been
composed by Ms Madhu Bala. |
Memorial
for Dr Jyoti CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — A condolence meeting in Sector 11 today paid rich tributes to Dr DD Jyoti, an eminent scholar, who died here on Wednesday. Pt Mohan Lal, president of the managing committee of GGDSD College, said that a suitable memorial would be raised in honour of Dr Jyoti. He also said welfare activities for students in his name would also be initiated. The meeting was attended
by Vice-Chancellors of various universities and
government officials. |
Congress councillors seek CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — A delegation of four Congress councillors met the Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen BKN Chhibber (retd), to demand removal of the Mayor, Mr Gian Chand Gupta. According to Mr Sunil Parti, a spokesman of the CTCC, all the four councillors - Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala, Ms Sunita and Ms Kamlesh — told the Administrator that the corporation had failed to discharge its duties and functions. The supply of power and water were erratic. Insanitary conditions were prevailing everywhere. A majority of councillors, including those of the ruling BJP, they said were fed up with the working of the Mayor. Eight of the 13 ruling councillors were openly opposing the Mayor. The Mayor, the Congress councillors maintained, had lost the confidence of the house. These councillors also moved a no-confidence motion against the Mayor yesterday which was outrightly and unconstitutionally rejected. They also expressed apprehensions about the diversion of municipal funds on wasteful and uncalled-for projects. They urged the
Administrator to intervene and save the House from
becoming a battlefield. |
Samiti men to form 'human chain'
today CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — Members of the Gaon Sangharsh Samiti will form a human chain at the venue of the ongoing relay fast near the railway station tomorrow at 10 am. The protesters, who have been agitating against the demolitions carried out by the administration in Raipur Kalan village, have sought the intervention of the Home Minister in the matter and want to apprise him of the constant threat of demolitions under the Periphery Control Act. At a meeting here today members, including sarpanches, panches, members of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti, have condemned the unavailability of the local MP at the time of distress. They have said that the MP, who is on tour, should return at once and take up the matter. Meanwhile, the relay fast
has entered its fourth day today. |
Orders issued on Prof Kak's
re-employment CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — As expected, the Chandigarh Administration yesterday issued orders to "re-employ" Prof VK Kak, Director-Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, (GMCH), Sector 32. Professor Kak, who was scheduled to retire on October 31 will continue to head the institution. The order issued by the UT Administrator says Professor Kak has been re-employed at the same post and on the same pay from November 1 onwards until on further orders. The exact terms and conditions of the order, detailing the re-allotment of work to the professor will be announced later, according to sources. The case of re-employment
has reportedly been cleared by the Union Health Ministry
and is pending for approval by the Ministry of Home
Affairs. |
November 9
Legal Services Day CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The local district courts will observe November 9 each year from now onwards as Legal Services Day in Chandigarh. According to the Sessions Judge, Mr BS Bedi, the Legal Service Authority will organise a camp on November 9 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the district courts complex. Mr Bedi said on this day
the Authority would give free legal advice to the needy
and apprise the public of the Lok Adalat movement. |
CHANDIGARH , Oct 31 — Students will be given five days extra for filling their forms for re-evaluation. A decision in this regard was taken by the Panjab University Syndicate here today. Students could earlier apply for re-evaluation within 21 days of the declaration of the results. Students will, however, will have to pay Rs 200 as late fee for each day's delay after the stipulated period. The Syndicate allowed the Vice-Chancellor , Prof MM Puri, to spend the amount for library security of students which had lapsed in the Department of Correspondence Studies.This money will now be used on procuring books and developing infrastructural facilities. The meeting started with a two minute silence in memory of Mrs Shakuntala Puri, the Vice-Chancellor's mother and Dr DD Jyoti, an eminent educationist. Various irregularities highlighted in a report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General were pointed out by Prof Charanjit Chawla. He said the university had failed to repay a loan of Rs 623 lakhs to the Centre between 1986 and 1997. The university prepared 22 cheques for this purpose which were shown in the Budget but were never deposited. The deficit in the Budget showed inflated figures, he added. The Vice-Chancellor is understood to have assured to look into the matter. The issue of the pension scheme once again figured at the Syndicate meeting. There was a reference to a letter written by the local member of Parliament, Mr Satya Pal Jain, to the Human Resource Development Minister, Dr RD Anand and Dr Anirudh Joshi urged that the scheme be implemented from the cut off date of April, '98, in the initial phase. Mr Gopal Krishan Chatrath said the scheme should be extended to all sections of retirees. Dr Ajaib Singh supported Mr Chatrath. There was a lot of discussion on allowing Christian Dental College to have additional 20 seats. Prof Chawla and Mr Rajinder Deepa recorded their dissent on the issue. Members while pointing out that the VC had allowed the increase in seats in April, they asked why the Syndicate was told about it so late. Mr Satish Sharma said the college already had the permission from the Dental Council of India and the Punjab Government. The Syndicate did not grant affiliation to Adesh Institute of Medical Research, Muktsar to start a course in B Sc (Nursing ). The principal will first have to satisfy the university that it complies all the conditions. Certain Syndics pointed out that the Faculty was far below the required number. Others advocated the need for colleges in rural areas. The VC sought permission to spend money for 1500 new phone connections which will soon be operational in the university. Certain members pointed out that the university should not sell off its property outside the campus without the prior permission of the Senate and the Syndicate. Mr Rajinder Bhandari said certain institutes of BBA and BCA were indulging in accepting donations. The teachers appointed for these courses did not meet the requirements in certain cases. The item pertaining to the high court decision on the "infamous VJ Gupta" case did not generate any debate and was passed unanimously. The Syndicate also enhanced the limit of earned leave from 360 to 450 days with effect from November, 1997. A majority of other items
on the agenda were deferred. A total of 26 candidates
were awarded Ph.D, including Mr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, a
Deputy Advocate General (Punjab). Others include Ms
Kamana Prashar, Ms Madhu Bala Sharma, Mr Pawan Kumar, Ms
Amarjit Kaur Bachan, Ms Savita Rani, Mr Rama Nand Sharma
Bhardwaj, Ms Nalini Moza Wali, Mr Bharat Bhushan, Ms
Archana Gupta, Mr Vinod Kumar, Mr Raj Kumar Chauhan, Ms
Maninder Kaur Sodhi, Ms Sukhwant Bajwa, Mr Sunil Behl, Mr
Venod Kumar Mehta, Mr Subhlakshan Kumar, Mr Naveen Kaul,
Mr Vikas Pruthi, Mr Vikas Raj, Ms Vaishali Goel, Ms Neena
Arora, Ms Sangeeta Trama, Mr DC Umashankar, Mr Rajesh
Kumar Ghezta and Ms Devinder Kaur. |
CHANDIGARH, Oct 31— Four persons have sustained injuries in separate incidents, including two road accidents, in the city and its surrounding areas in the past 24 hours. Ms Urmila Ahuja, a resident of Sector 9, Panchkula, was injured when her Sunny collided with a motorcycle on the road dividing sectors 21 and 22. Mr Gurdass Ram of Dera Bassi was travelling in tractor-trailer when it collided with a truck near the temporary grain market in Sector 48. Both were admitted to the PGI. Pradeep, a youth from SAS Nagar fell off the roof of his house in phase II of the township while Vikas a resident of Burail also fell off the roof of his house. Poison consumed: Two local women have reportedly consumed a poisonous substance in separate incidents in the city in the past 24 hours. Sunita of Khuda Lahora village and Surinder Kaur of Milk Colony, Dhanas, have been admitted to the PGI. Youths nabbed: The Zirakpur police has nabbed two youths from Yamunanagar while carrying 1,500 pouches of smuggled liquor. The youths — Rakesh Kumar and Sarbjeet Singh — were travelling in a vehicle when they were nabbed at special naka set up by a party led by Sub- Inspector Tejwinder Singh, according to sources. Money stolen: A sum of Rs 14,000 has been allegedly stolen from the donation box — golak — of a gurudwara in Sector 7. Mr Bhupinder Singh has lodged a complaint on behalf of the gurudwara. A case has been registered. Eve-teasing: In continuation of the special drive, the police has arrested three persons for allegedly indulging in eve-teasing. Hardeep Singh of Mundi Kharar was arrested from Sector 40, Sunil Kumar of Panchkula was nabbed from outside the GCG, Sector 11. Raj Kumar of Dadu Majra Colony was arrested. Separate cases had been
registered.
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CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Mr RS Malik, a former IAS officer of Haryana cadre, in public interest questioning the appointment of Mr SH Mohan, as the State Vigilance Commissioner of Haryana. Mr Justice RS Mongia and Mr Justice SS Sudhalkar, who constituted the Bench, held: "After hearing the petitioner in person we find that no public interest is involved in challenging the appointment of Mr Mohan. It is up to the state government to create a post in accordance with law and then make an appointment to such a post. If the person so appointed does anything wrong to a person, he would be at liberty to challenge that action before an appropriate forum. Dismissed." In his petition Mr Malik had stated that on July 1, 1998, the Haryana Government had created a temporary post of the State Vigilance Commissioner and appointed Mr Mohan on this post on the same day to supervise the investigation of criminal cases registered by the State Vigilance Bureau. Mr Malik had added that
this act of the state government was in complete
violation of the provisions of Section 3 of the Police
Act, 1861, and Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution. |
Katia
molestation case adjourned CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today adjourned to November 14 the Kalia molestation case. The adjournment was a
sequel to the Public Prosecutor not turning up in the
court room. |
Milk seller
convicted CHANDIGARH, Oct 31 — The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today convicted Ali Mohammed, a resident of Panchkula district under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. He sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for six months apart from slapping a fine of Rs 1,000. According to the prosecution, the suspect was selling substandard milk in Chandigarh. A sample of milk taken from him was sent to the Central Food Laboratory for test. The test report revealed
that the milk contained 2.6 per cent contents of fat as
against the requirement of 6 per cent. Similarly, milk
solids (not fat) were 4.4. per cent as against 9 per
cent. |
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