C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
Friday, November 27, 1998 |
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4 hardcore criminals arrested CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Four hardcore criminals involved with separate organised gangs operating in the city and its surrounding areas have been nabbed by the east division of the Chandigarh Police in the past 24 hours. Advisory council to meet on Dec 11 CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The extension of "lal dora" in all villages of the union territory and formalisation of a policy about those engaged in "informal professions" will be the main issues at the next meeting of the Administrators Advisory Council scheduled to be held on December 11. |
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Amusement
park put in cold storage Protest
over bad treatment in Pak Residents
demand cop's transfer Elaichi
prices shoot up Low
turnout at licensing office Councillor
seeks probe into contract |
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4 hardcore criminals arrested CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Four hardcore criminals involved with separate organised gangs operating in the city and its surrounding areas have been nabbed by the east division of the Chandigarh Police in the past 24 hours. One of the arrested persons, Santa Singh, is the leader of the gang that had been allegedly committing thefts in rural areas and had allegedly raped three women in the past six days. He was arrested just hours after his gang had allegedly raped two women and robbed an entire household in Raipur Khurd village last night. Thanks are due to the bravery and guts of constable Satish Kumar, and Karnail Singh, a resident of Raipur Khurd village. The other three criminals Raj Kumar, Ramesh Kumar, alias Subhash Kumar, alias Kalia, and Vinod Kumar, alias Bhuddha arrested, belong to one gang headed by Raj Kumar. They were involved in various burglaries in Chandigarh and Panchkula, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ram Pal Singh, told a press conference this afternoon. The gang has confessed about its involvement in the assault on two daughters of a journalist and the burglary committed in the same house in Sector 21, Panchkula, on August 3, the police said. The SSP, Mr C.S.R. Reddy, confirmed that Santa Singh had provided the police with the names of the other gang members and also confirmed the participation of his gang in various thefts in rural areas. The gang is the same that committed a rape at knife point in Khuda Lahora village on the night of November 20, the police claimed. Santa was nabbed in a true filmy fashion. After committing the crime last night, the gang all of its members are related to each other and belong to "dheh" criminal tribe went towards a pre-designated place to re-group. Meanwhile, the victims raised the alarm and informed the police picket at the nearby Makhan Majra-Raipur Kalan road. A message was flashed and police parties headed by DSP, East Division, Mr Vijay Pal Singh, reached the scene. The entire area along Sukhna choe, including the approach from Punjab side, was cordoned off with the help of additional strength. Santa was nabbed. The habit of the gang is to re-group at the spot where they had kept bicycles and wait till daybreak before dispersing. They did the same last night without realising that the police had cordoned off the area. Around 4.30 a.m. five persons on three bicycles were asked to stop by the police party near Raipur Kalan. Instead of stopping the five men left behind the bicycles and ran off to hid themselves in the thick woods. Head Constable Brij Lal and constable Satish Kumar gave a hot chase. To escape, Santa jumped into the Sukhna choe that has dirty water flowing in it. Satish Kumar followed him into the choe and grabbed him, according to the police. He also confessed having committed thefts in Chunni, Dappar, Dakoli and Mubarakpur in surrounding areas of Punjab. The .12 bore rifle had been stolen from a bank in Fatehgarh Sahib. The gang leader told the police that he and his men had consumed liquor and had food in neighbouring Zirakpur before striking at Raipur Khurd village. The other gang was rounded up when a spate of burglaries took place in Sectors 20 and 21. The police arrested some suspects. The cops zeroed in on a particular person whose interrogation led them to the other two gang members. Another member of the gang, Sanjay, is at present in jail for some other offence. All arrested persons are
migrants and had met each other in jail. Their modus
operandi is to act as labourers doing odd jobs white wash
boys. In most cases, they burgled the houses where they
went to work. In the case when they struck at the house
of the journalist in Sector 21 one of them was employed
as a chowkidar for a few days and he "marked
out" the house where the aged journalist and two
daughters live. |
Advisory council to meet on Dec 11 CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The extension of "lal dora" in all villages of the union territory and formalisation of a policy about those engaged in "informal professions" will be the main issues at the next meeting of the Administrators Advisory Council scheduled to be held on December 11. According to sources in the Administration, though the formal agenda for the meeting is still to be finalised, these two items figure prominently in the lists of items submitted by various non-official members for inclusion in the agenda. Other issues which are likely to dominate the meeting include regulation and licensing of cycle rickshaws and rehabilitation of auto mechanics of sectors 21, 27 and 28. The major issue, however, would be extension of "lal dora" in UT villages. The Joint Action Committee of villages has been agitating for long not only to demand an extension of "lal dora" and provision of basic amenities, including water and power supply to houses constructed outside revenue limits of "village abadis" but also discontinuation of the "demolition" of all structures under the provisions of the Periphery Control Order. The Administration has announced some relaxations and decided to provide water and power connections to 1,100 of such houses in the first phase out of 1800 such houses outside "lal doras" identified in a special survey of the Administration. This decision, however, has evoked mixed reaction. The local units of various parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress and the Janata Dal, have reacted adversely to the decision of the Administration. They probably want that the Administration must take a policy decision in the matter than making any ad hoc decisions. The Janata Dal is organising a rally on the issue on November 29. An important issue to figure at the meeting has been the anti-encroachment drive against those engaged in "informal professions" in the city. Those affected by these drives, include barbers, tandoorwallahs, cobblers, those who repair bicycles, scooters and mopeds or those who sell bidis and paans on roadsides. The political parties, including the BJP, wants that all such professions should be identified and permanent licences be issued to them. The Administration may consider granting them the licences on the condition that they should work only during fixed hours and maintain a clean environs and after finishing their work in the evening, move away all their material from their place of work. The problem of rehabilitation of auto mechanics has been languishing for long. Now when the work on renovation of the busy sectors 27 and 28 intersection is in progress, a large number of auto mechanics may be dislodged. Various plans and schemes of the Administration for the rehabilitation of these mechanics have not materialised so far. Similarly, the problem of unregulated cycle rickshaws has been continuing. The decision to licence rickshaw-pullers has not met with success. After the reconstitution
of the Administrators advisory panel about a year
ago, one of its members and a former Union Minister of
State for Civil Supplies, Mr Venod Sharma, had resigned.
Since then there have been some major changes in
political scenario in the city. Mr Sharma has now
replaced Mr Pawan Bansal as the CTCC chief. The
Administration has reportedly renominated him on the
Council in his new capacity as the CTCC chief. He is
expected to attend the December 11 meeting, the second of
this Council. |
School downed in demolition drive PANCHKULA, Nov 26 At least 20 structures raised in violation of the Periphery Act near Bhainsa Tibba, Saketri and some area adjoining Manimajra were razed by the enforcement staff of the Department of Town and Country Planning, here today. The drive was launched in the early hours as a sequel to a decision taken by the department and the district administration to demolish unauthorised structures in the district. The date and timing of the demolition exercise was kept a closely guarded secret in apprehension of protests from the persons affected. Around 50 policemen escorted the demolition squad who, with the help of two JCV's, demolished around 20 small and big structures. The team was led by the District Town Planner, Mr Dilbagh Singh, and DSP(City), Mr Raj Singh. In the beginning three LPG cylinder godowns adjoining Manimajra were demolished. Then the boundary wall of a mandir and the building of a private school on the road leading to the Mata Mansa Devi temple were downed. The entrance gate of another religious institution located near the Chandigarh-Haryana border was also demolished. Those affected while protesting the drive alleged that structures belonging to influential persons had been ignored. The spokesman of Shree Radha Krishan Mandir Sabha, Saketri, alleged that its gate and approach road were demolished without any prior notice. Sources in the administration said the drive would continue tomorrow and structures in other areas adjoining the township would be demolished. The Town and Country
Planning Department has identified over 7500 unauthorised
constructions in Chandimandir, Pinjore, Kalka, Ramgarh
and Barwala which are covered under the Periphery Act. |
Explain delay in paying counsel:
HC CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Why does litigation relating to government departments hang fire in courts for years on end? And why do advocates feel dispirited in taking interest in government cases? The Punjab and Haryana High Court has diagnosed the malady the government departments suffer from and has decided to provide a remedy for it. Taking up a case against the Union Textiles Ministry, a Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Iqbal Singh noted that Mr Ashutosh Mohunta had put in appearance on behalf of the ministry on July 17, 1998. Despite a lapse of more than four months, no written statement has been filed on behalf of the ministry. "Today Mr C.M. Sharma has appeared and made a prayer for grant of further time," the Bench recorded. "We have repeatedly come across where request for an adjournment is made on behalf of the Union of India, the state governments and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The complaint commonly ventilated before the court is that neither are written statements sent in time by the officers concerned nor are the fees paid to counsel. Resultantly, avoidable adjournments have to be granted," the judges held. Speaking for the Bench, Mr Justice Gupta said: "So far as this case is concerned, neither Mr Mohunta nor Mr C.M. Sharma has made any complaint. In the interest of justice, we grant the last opportunity to the respondents to file the written statement. However, we feel constrained to observe that delay in filing the written statements places on avoidable burden on the court's time. Added to this is the fact that even the counsel's fees are not paid for inordinately long periods. In one case that recently came up before this court, we were informed that fees had not been paid for about six years. This is neither fair to the counsel nor to the court. It can impede the course of justice. "We, therefore, consider it proper to take suo motu notice of the matter. We direct that notice shall be issued to the Union of India, through the Secretaries of the Home, Law and Finance Ministries to explain why the fees of counsel are not being paid on time", the Judges stated and added: "Similarly, notices shall also issue to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to explain why the bills of various counsels who have appeared for the respective state governments from time to time have not been paid. Notice shall also be issued to the Home Secretary of the union territory administration (Chandigarh)." The Bench noted that Mr Manmohan Lal Sarin, a former Advocate-General of Punjab, had not been made payment for the bills he had submitted for years. This was not fair. The Judges directed the Punjab and Haryana governments, the Chandigarh Administration and the Centre to furnish lists of counsel to whom payment had not been made and the explanation for delay in the release of the payment before the next date of hearing. |
Training youths at doorsteps CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 In a unique venture to provide self-employment opportunities to the underprivileged sections of society, the local Directorate of Technical Education has launched a special programme to take training facilities to their doorsteps. A highlight of the programme is that the trainees need not possess any educational background. A desire to learn is enough. The training programme with emphasis on rural development is being undertaken under a drive of the Central government. The ministry concerned has chosen the local Central Polytechnic to coordinate its activities in UT. Instead of paying a fee for receiving training facilities, the students are paid scholarships during their courses. Giving details to the TNS Dr S.K.Aggarwal, Director of Technical Education, said within a year of its launch six centres were operating at different places in UT. Central Polytechnic is running three courses. These include refrigeration and air-conditioning, plumbing and house-wiring and motoring winding. There are now 95 trainees at these centres. The centre at the ITI, Sector 28, is running courses in carpentry and also for fitters, and in computers. There are 90 trainees enrolled at the centre. The centre at Ram Durbar, which has 30 trainees runs radio and TV repair courses. The Mani Majra centre trains in soft toy-making and sewing and knitting. The Maloya centre has provisions for imparting training in beauty culture while the Dadu Majra centre has soft toy, and tie and dye courses. Dr Aggarwal said the courses were aimed at making the trainees self-dependent. These centres offered certificates for courses ranging from three months to six months. He said an expansion plan was on the anvil. The department would reach out to sarpanches of villages to offer their services."We could also consider setting training centres in industries if they assured jobs to trainees", he added. The ministry programme is run under the governments scheme of using polytechnic services in a number of areas of rural development, particularly in agriculture, housing and shelter, water supply, irrigation, setting up agro industries, small units, electrification and human resource development. The identified
polytechnics are expected to conduct socio-economic
surveys, provide manpower training and development,
facilitate transfer of technology besides providing
support services. |
Amusement park put in cold storage CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 When it comes to making proposals the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) seems second to none. This holds true for an amusement park that has been built by it in "papers" in the past one year. The site of the park, which had been at the "proposal level" since early last year, had been shifted at least thrice. The arts, culture and sports committee and the environment and city beautification committee of the civic body had recommended the setting up of the park at a "suitable place with the corporation". After much dithering, it was proposed last year that the "municipal park" might be developed at the Fragrance Garden, Sector 36. In fact, the environment and city beautification committee of the civic body had recommended that the park should be set up at the Fragrance Garden. But the proposal reportedly did not find favour of the civic body authorities. It may be recalled that the park was supposed to be of international standards which would include the latest in the world of sports and electronic games, science games, planetarium, music and water world. It was planned to be a unique park, combining fun, entertainment, education for children and relaxation for the elderly. After a lot of discussions at various fora in the MCC, it was suggested earlier this year that the "Disneyland-type park" might be set up at Manimajra. The MCC duly identified about 50 acres of land for the project but this time the Chandigarh Administration played the spoilsport taking the plea that having the park along the road would lead to traffic blockades. But the never-say-die officials of the civic body did not lose heart and came up with another site for the "amusement park" measuring nearly 50 acres this time west of Sector 56 bordering SAS Nagar. The MCC even proposed that the approach to the park could be provided by extending the main outer road, V-2, and constructing a bridge over the "Patiali-ki-rao" choes near the Maloya village. A second approach road through SAS Nagar was also proposed. But where the money will come from is anybody's guess. Sources said that cost of the acquisition of the land alone was anywhere between Rs 4 crore to Rs 5 crore the amount the fund-starved MCC could ill-afford. Earlier the MCC had hoped
that the Administration would transfer the land to it on
a nominal rate as it had done on previous occasions. It
had even toyed with the idea of associating a
collaborators for the execution of the project as it
would have involved huge expenditure. But the
Administration's response being far from encouraging, the
project seems to have been put in cold storage. |
Protest over bad treatment in Pak CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 A Hindu jatha on its way to Shri Katasraj was allegedly detained and maltreated by Pakstani officials and the police recently. Members of the jatha and representatives of other organisations, including the Sri Mandir Parbandhak Committee, the Triveni Giri Mandir Committee, Sector 7, Kendriya Ramlila Committee and the Hindu Prava Mahasabha, today gathered at the Sector 17 plaza, and burnt an effigy of the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Speakers urged the Indian
Government to lodge a strong protest with its Pakistani
counterpart so that incidents were not repeated and the
Indian pilgrims were given their due respect. |
Residents demand cop's transfer SAS NAGAR, Nov 26 Residents of four-marla houses behind the Phase XI gurdwara here have demanded the transfer of a Punjab Police constable who, they alleged, has been subjecting them to extreme harassment. They say they have written to Phase VIII police station SHO, the Ropar SSP and the Chief Minister, but to no avail. The constable's next-door neighbour in the locality has also complained to the Punjab Human Rights Commission. The residents allege that the constable, Nirmal Singh (Battalion 82, PAP, Chandigarh), often roams about in the area dressed only in an underwear and also passes objectionable comments on women passing by his house. His next-door neighbour, has complained to the human rights panel that the cop often throws stones, water and sand into the former's house, knocks on the common wall with an iron bar at night, uses abusive language and issues threats to him and his wife. The charges, however, have
been denied by the cop's wife, Ms Prem Lata, who works as
a senior assistant in the Punjab DGP's office. She, in
turn, has alleged that the residents have been harassing
her husband and her. She says residents have been
indulging in her character assassination which provokes
her husband to retaliate. |
Elaichi prices shoot up CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The prices of all varieties of Elettaria cardamomum ("chhotti elaichi") and Ammonium aromaticum ("bari elaichi"), which are used as condiments in the Indian cuisine, have skyrocketed in the past 15 days. According to sources in the trade, the prices of both 'chhotti elaichi' and 'bari elaichi' have registered a hike from 25 per cent to 35 per cent in the past two weeks due to shortage of the commodity. Enquiries at the Sector 26 market revealed that the wholesale price of best quality 'chhotti elaichi' has jumped from Rs 750 a kg to Rs 1000 a kg. Subsequently, the retail price of the variety has risen from Rs 1000 a kg to Rs 1400 a kg. Similarly, the 'semi bold' variety has become more costly as its price has seen nearly a 35 per cent hike with its wholesale price rising from Rs 600 a kg to Rs 900 a kg during this period. The retail price of this variety has increased from Rs 800 a kg to Rs 1200 a kg. The retail prices of other two varieties 'robin' and 'pan' have increased from Rs 800 a kg to Rs 1000 a kg and Rs 500 to Rs 700 a kg during this period. The price of "bari elaichi" has also witnessed a hike between 25 per cent and 35 per cent. The price of the best quality has shot up from Rs 100 a kg to Rs 150 a kg in the wholesale market, while its retail price is Rs 180 a kg. Likewise, the price of the medium quality of "bari elaichi" has jumped from Rs 90 to Rs 140 a kg. |
Low turnout at licensing
office CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Very few people turned up at the Registration and Licensing Authority of Motor Vehicles on the third day after work was suspended by the contractor engaged for making licences and registration following allegations of non-payment of dues. The branch, a beehive of activity on working days, witnessed a low turnout and most queries to officials related to starting of work. While the making of new licenses and handing out registrations was held up in the morning work picked up in the afternoon. According to Mr Ashish Kundra, UT Registration and Licensing Authority, registration cards were issued and lamination of licences was done. While the photos provided by applicants for licences were scanned through computers, the licences were laminated following the installation of two lamination machines. Similarly, registration cards were also being laminated. Licences were being provided the same day, he claimed. However, the charges for
licences have been reduced in view of the new technology.
Adequate quantity of pre-printed stationery and
lamination pouches have been procured, he added. |
Councillor seeks probe into contract CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The Congress councillor from ward no19 of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, has demanded an inquiry into the sanitation contract given to a private contractor for certain areas of his ward. In a representation to the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen BKN Chhibber (retd), Mr Goyal alleged that the contractor had not been carrying out the sanitation work in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, resulting in cleanliness work of Mauli Jagran and Shivalik Enclave going from bad to worse. Mr Goyal also resented the appointment of Mr Mohinder Singh (SAD) and Mr Des Raj Tandon (BJP) as observers to oversee the sanitation work in certain parts of ward Nos. 19 and 20 Indira Colony, Shivalik Enclave, Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, and Mauli Jagran colony. These areas are represented by Mr Goyal and another Congress councillor, Mr Gurcharan Dass Kala. Mr Goyal also alleged that
all this had been done to help the contractor get his
payment released for the work he had not done. Mr Goyal
had recommended the stoppage of his payment for the month
of April. |
Engineers go on protest leave Chandigarh, Nov 26 Members of the Diploma Engineers Association, Punjab PWD, Public Health, were on a days leave to protest against the functioning of an Executive Engineer of the department in SAS Nagar today. Mr R.K. Aggarwal, general
secretary of the association, said that the officer was
forcing them to spend money from their own sources to run
the rural water supply schemes. Although the conduct of
the officer and the entire matter had been reported to
the Chief Engineer, Punjab, no action had been taken till
date, he lamented. |
Ghaggar bridge to remain closed Chandigarh, Nov 26 The bridge on the Ghaggar between Dera Bassi and Zirakpur section of National Highway no 22 will be closed for vehicular traffic for two days from November 27. According to Mr K.S. Bhinder, Deputy Executive Engineer Central Works Sub Division, PWD, (B & R), all vehicles from Ambala to Chandigarh will be diverted from Dera Bassi via Mubarikpur-Ramgarh and Panchkula. The traffic from
Chandigarh and Patiala to Ambala will also be diverted
from Zirakpur via Panchkula-Ramgarh and Dera Bassi. |
Students' work reviewed CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Various aspects relating to competence among polytechnic students were discussed on the inaugural day of a two-day symposium at the Government Polytechnic for Women, Sector 10, here today. Dr S.K.Aggarwal, Director, Technical Education, in his keynote address emphasised the need for global participation, conference management and direct foreign investment. Mr Balbir Singh, principal
of the polytechnic, highlighted the need for competence
in context of globalisation.He also talked on total
quality management. IMA complex named after
Chhuttani CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 A two-day continuing medical education programme (CME) is being organised by the Chandigarh chapter of the Indian Medical Association on November 28 and 29. The complex of the IMA in Chandigarh has been named after Prof P.N. Chhuttani, a former Director of the PGI. A newly built auditorium in the complex will be inaugurated by Prof I.C. Pathak, a former Director, PGI. The first P.N. Chhuttani oration will be delivered by Prof N.K. Ganguly, Director General, Indian Council for Medical Research. Experts from the AIIMS,
Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, the PGI and the GMCH
will discuss the recent advancement in surgery. Cop promoted as Head Constable CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Constable Satish Kumar, who nabbed the leader of the gang that allegedly raped two women in Raipur Khurd village last night, has been given out-of-turn promotion as Head Constable with immediate effect, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ram Pal Singh, said. Meanwhile, Head Constable Brij Lal, who had accompanied Satish in chasing the gangster will be given a commendation certificate. The IG had announced
yesterday a cash award of Rs 2000 and a commendation
certificate to Sub-Inspector Dilsher Singh Chandel,
posted in the Bapu Dham police post. |
Two students bag trophy in
debate CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 Inderdeep and Varun of D.C. Model, Panchkula, won the trophy in the Mahatma Hans Raj Memorial Hindi debate contest on "Indianisation of education is meaningful", here today. Eight teams participated. Prof. S.S. Brar of Sohan Lal College of Education, Ambala city was the chief guest. In the Giani Jominder Singh Memorial Punjabi poetry recitation contest, DAV School, Ludhiana, won the trophy. There were five teams and
21 individual participants, senior and junior. The
contest was presided over by Mr Nirmal Datt, Dean,
Cultural Activities, of the local DAV college. |
CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, today announced a special grant of Rs 8 lakh out of his Local Area Development Fund for the construction of a grievances cell at Panjab University. Mr Jain was the chief guest at the annual function of the university to welcome the freshers. He assured them that he would divert more amount to the university if there were good proposals. The present proposal was forwarded to him by the President of Panjab University Campus Students Council Dayal Pratap Singh Randhawa who had asked for Rs 7.27 lakh for creating more facilities at the Students Centre. Meanwhile Randhawa once again reiterated the demand of a Dean Placements Cell to coordinate job opportunities for students on the completion of their degrees. He had earlier pointed out that there were marginal coordination and guidance in courses which did not offer professional degrees. The president also raised the issue of improvement in the examination system. He demanded that as in the case of dates of examinations which are announced much in advance, similarly the dates of the declaration of results should also be announced. Citing an example, he said, while the examinations in the Department of Laws were already lined up the re-evaluation results were yet to be declared."What can a student do who does not even know whether he has passed or failed in the previous examination?", he asked. The Vice-Chancellor in his brief speech said the demands of students were justified. He assured the students that he would look into the matter and discuss it at the right fora. Convention: A north-western regional convention towards the formation of All-India Federation of University Teachers Association (AIFUTA) is scheduled at Panjab University on November 29, Dr P.P. Arya, convener of the committee for the formation of AIFUTA said in a press note here on Thursday. Three universities of Punjab, three from Himachal, two from Jammu and Kashmir besides representatives from Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan are expected to participate in the convention. Seminar: The Institute of Punjab Studies (Chandigarh) and the Centre for Women's Studies and Development, Panjab University, will organise a seminar on "Gender relations in Punjab" at the ICSSR complex on Friday. Prof R.R.
Verma,Vice-Chancellor of University of Lucknow, will
deliver the key-note address at the inaugural session of
the three-day seminar. Agaaz '98 well-received CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 The cultural extravaganza, Agaaz '98, at the bedecked gymnasium hall of Panjab University was a roaring success with students playing hosts as well as guests for the day. Participants performed to a hall-packed to capacity, brimming with enthusiasm and buzzing with activity, here today. A classical dance recital celebrating the essence of woman was presented by Puja Rana in the beginning followed by Malginder Singh whose sticks deftly moved on the strings of the santoor to produce music. The racy tune of 'Damadum mast kalandar' took the audience in its folds. As many as 16 songs were spread over the entire programme. Other songs which interested the crowd were 'Resham ka romaal', a Rajasthani lok geet by Meghna and 'O Meri Mehbooba' by Narinder Kumar besides nine Punjabi songs. A rock-mock item by students of the Botany department was a hit with the crowd. Brooms replaced guitars and buckets covered with silver foils took the place of drums as the MTV generation performed. Torn jeans, long hair and their wild looks completed the picture. The mono-actings had the audience in peels of laughter. There were two skits on the schedule and the compere, Sunil of the Indian Theatre department kept the audience involved throughout the afternoon with his antics. The 'giddha' girls danced their way into the hearts of the audience with their vigorous movements. The 'bhangra' boys joined in the revelry and regalement. The well-organised show by
seniors to welcome their juniors had a short life, but a
merry one at that. |
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