Nursing homes, PGI tie up for waste disposal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
Nursing homes in Chandigarh have reached an agreement with the PGI for incineration of their biomedical waste. The PGI has agreed to incinerate the waste at Rs 10 per kg, informed Dr G.S. Kochchar, President, of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The incinerator at the PGI has a capacity of 400 to 600 kg per hour.

While the PGI generates 200 kg of medical waste, it will now receive an additional 150 kg per day from the nursing homes, according to Dr Kochchar.

Nursing homes were desperate to find a solution for a scientific disposal of their biomedical waste following an ultimatum from the Central Pollution Control Committee to get an authorisation certificate before June 15.

After this, it would become mandatory for all private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics, among others, to dispose of the biomedical waste scientifically and take necessary steps as per rules and regulations to ensure no adverse effect occurs to human health and environment. Failure to obtain authorisation would attract legal action under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act.

Most of the nursing homes had been dumping their waste in regular sites, inviting insects and animals, besides spreading highly communicable diseases.

Following directions by the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC), the IMA and the Nursing Home Association had approached the General Hospital, Sector 16, but were forced to find another alternative as the hospital had proposed high rates for handling the biomedical waste as compared to all-India rates.

According to Dr Kochchar, the hospital had demanded Rs 10,000 per year for a five-bed nursing home, Rs 15,000 for a 6 to 10 bed set-up and Rs 40,000 for an 11 to 20 bed hospital.

“The charges also did not include the transportation of the biomedical waste,” he said.

To solve the problem of transportation, the IMA has tied up with a Delhi-based firm, India Waste Energy Private Limited, for delivering the biomedical waste from the backyard of the nursing homes to the incinerator at the PGI at a cost of Rs 20 per kg.

According to Dr Kochchar, the firm will apply for an authorisation for transportation with the CPCC tomorrow.

To deal with 10 different types of biomedical waste, different coloured bags will be provided.

The nursing homes will segregate the waste at their end into these bags, which will be transported to the PGI in a specially designed van with stainless steel compartments and temperature maintained between 10 and 25 degrees centigrade.

Controversy shrouds Manjit’s arrest
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
Controversy shrouds the arrest of Manjit Singh Mange, the main hitman of Babloo Srivastava, who was arrested by the Delhi police from Panchkula. Even as the Panchkula police denies that there was another member of the notorious underworld gang staying with Mange, sources say, another member of the same gang was also staying here.

The police here are wondering behind the real reason for the accused is choosing the area as a hideout. It is being suspected that the accused could have larger interests in the city for underworld operations.

Manjit Singh was arrested by an eight-member team of the Delhi police on the intervening night of June 7 and 8. He was later produced in a local court here in Chandigarh and after a day’s transit remand was obtained, he was immediately whisked away to Delhi on June 8.

Right from day one, the case has been mired in controversy. On the day of the arrest, the city police and the Panchkula police were quick to trade charges that Mange had been staying in the area falling under the other’s jurisdiction. In spite of initial reports of the accused being caught from Mani Majra, it has now been established that the accused was actually staying in a house in Sector 7 in Panchkula.

When contacted, the SP, Panchkula, Mr Manoj Yadav, conceded that the accused had been staying in Panchkula for the past two months. He, however, denied that another member of the notorious gang was staying in the house. However, according to sources in the police here, another member of the gang was also staying in the house. Also, a woman, believed to be living with Mange was also staying with them. It is learnt that while Mange was nabbed by the Delhi police, the woman and the aide managed to escape.

It may be noted that after the two main hitmen of the gang— Virender Pant and Sanjay Khanna were killed in an encounter in Delhi earlier this year, Mange became the main hitmen of Bablooo Srivastava and his two other UAE-based aides— Fazlur Rehman and Abu Salem. It may also be noted that he is presently lodged in a jail in Uttar Pradesh.

Mange has been accused of several kidnappings and murders in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal. He is also accused of having killed Mr. L.D. Arora, Additional Commissioner, Customs, in Allahabad in 1993 as well as a Nepalese minister.

Notorious burglar arrested
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 10
The Chandigarh police arrested a notorious burglar, Sarwan Kumar, resident of Maloya village here this evening and claimed to solve 17 cases of theft in the city.

A large cache of stolen goods were also recovered from his possession. The police was on the lookout for a co-accused, a scrap -dealer based in Nayagaon village (Kharar).

With the arrest of Sarwan Kumar, the police said, as many as 17 theft cases in Sectors 11, 15, 18, 21 and 22 were solved.

He was arrested from Maloya village. A colour television, a refrigerator, music systems, antique pieces, water meters, tulu pumps and crockery, a bronze idol of lord Ganesha stolen from a lawyer’s house were recovered from his possession.

It is learnt that the police raided the Nayagaon residence of the co-accused this morning but in vain. Sarwan used to sell the stolen goods to the scrap-dealer.

A senior police official said that the scrap-dealer would be soon apprehended. About the modus operandi of Sarwan, the police said that he first used to locate unoccupied houses in the above said sectors.

Once he located a vacant house, he would break open into it from the rear. He was said to be involved in the thefts since 1998.

PU lacks translators, notes elude students
Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
Lack of translators has left students of several postgraduate correspondence courses of Panjab University high and dry, with no course material in Hindi and Punjabi mediums available to enable them to prepare for the annual examination.

Students of public administration, while talking to Chandigarh Tribune said they had made several trips to the administration office of the correspondence studies section on the campus during the session. “Each time we were told that the translation work was underway and we would get the study material much in advance than the annual examination. The examination is more than halfway through, yet there are no notes,” they complained.

A student said, “A student is categorically asked the medium in which he has to appear in the annual examination. The university should then have the study material ready according to course needs much in advance. A student not only pays for the course, but also wastes a year waiting for notes”.

Reliable sources said that notes were also not available for courses in economics, political science and history. Translation work was underway for notes of these postgraduate courses and would be available in the forthcoming session, Dr Ujjagar Singh Seghal, chairperson of the department, said while talking to Chandigarh Tribune.

It was also learnt that translated works were also not available in postgraduate sciences courses. The chairperson said notes for sciences were usually given in the English medium only.

Dr Seghal said translators were not easily available. One of the reasons was that remuneration for the translation work was much less than what was being demanded.

“They are being paid Rs 30 for each page. We will try to have it increased to Rs 40 per page from the forthcoming session. Things have to be managed within limits when university is going through a financial crunch,” he added.

He said the department had tried to contact through written communication the offices of the Department of Public Relations, the Punjab School Education Board, the Punjab Text Book Board and other agencies, asking for translators. “Maybe because of their workload, there are few persons available for translation work”, he said.

Dr Seghal further said, “Translation work is not an easy job. So we have to look for experts. Playing with words is a tough job when you begin to understand that each word paints a whole new world”.

Students welcomed the assurance of the university authorities regarding the availability of notes in the forthcoming session. They were concerned about the hundreds of candidates who were unable to land their hands on notes in the medium they preferred this year. They believed that this problem had prevailed in the past as well.

A student leader said the university should check the availability of notes by a date which should be fixed before commencement of an academic session. Any delay should be corrected immediately, he asserted.

Unauthorised shops on industrial plots?
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, June 10
Taking advantage of the laxity of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) and the Industries Department, unauthorised shops are being run from industrial plots in different phases of Industrial Estate here.

The inability of the government agency concerned to check the violations can be gauged from the fact that an entrepreneur in Industrial Area, Phase-IX, has been using the premises of his plot as a marriage palace. A plot in Phase-VII, owned by a politician of the ruling party and another in Phase-III of the Industrial Area were being used as sales outlets for garments.

By rough estimates, the number of such shops in Phases I, II, III, VII, and VIII of the Industrial Area and Focal Point in Industrial Area Phase-IX was over 100. Enquiries reveal that the PSIEC in 1998 had issued notices to the violators, but the shops continued to mushroom. Most of the shops had been opened along the main roads.

An entrepreneur said in 1998, the PSIEC had allowed 25 per cent of a plot area to be used for residential purpose. But the commercial use of the plots was a violation of the terms and conditions of allotment. An entrepreneur said the government should develop commercial areas and promote industry. In case of Industrial Area, Focal Point IX, slow development of commercial market had led to opening of shops in industrial units.

SPECIAL REPORT
Reliving trauma, celebrating life
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
“I was a drunkard,” announced one person after the other, relating their experiences of having overcome alcoholism, at a special function held at the auditorium of Government Art Museum, Sector 10, here today. The function was organised by the regional branch of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to commemorate their Founders Day in 1935. The AA is one of the oldest non-profit and self-sustaining international organisations, in the service of helping those who suffer from alcohol addiction. This function was the first of its kind in the city. Its members pride themselves in maintaining their anonymity, but believe in spreading the message of AA.

Members of the Chandigarh Intergroup Alcoholics Anonymous at the Founder’s Day celebrations at the Government Art Museum in Chandigarh on Sunday.  — A Tribune photograph

As a the 13-year-old daughter of an alcoholic relived the agony of having a parent suffering from the addiction, many persons in the audience were moved to tears. ‘‘I thought that I should kill myself. That would teach my father a lesson. Then on my deathbed I will take a promise from my father to never drink again. When I attended the first meeting, I thought that it was a big drama. After I attended some of these self-help group meetings, I realised that self-pity would not lead to anything. I should instead try and focus on my own life, look beyond the situation at home, develop my own interests and detach from the actions of my father, not from him,’’he said.

As more and more of those present related the experiences of their continuous struggle with the Addiction, it was clear that these were only those who had realised that they had a problem which needed a solution. ‘‘These people here are a merely the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands in North India who are living in hell. They need help, but an alcoholic never realises till it is too late that he has a disease. The family also is not clear on some basic things that it is a disease which needs to be cured. An alcoholic is a person who is sick, not bad. He can be helped,’’ said one of the AA members, a businessman over 40 years old. he says he has been a teetotaller for almost one year.

‘‘The message of the AA has to reach all those who are aware that they are ruining their life and the lives of members of their family with this addiction. The AA is the only platform which can make a difference. The addiction has not just serious physical ramifications, but mental ones also. The person who is trying to quiet drinking alcohol needs a strong mental back-up and these meetings are serving this purpose,’’ informed another member.

Ms Suman Gupta of the alcohol deaddiction centre at Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15, also spoke on the occasion and talked about her experiences of dealing with alcoholics and advising family members.

A question-answer session followed the lecture session, in which the audience interacted with the speakers.

COMMUNITY

Senior citizens’ role in nation-building stressed
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, June 10
Senior citizens should keep themselves busy and engaged in various social, cultural and other activities so that they can live a happy and purposeful life. They should play an important role in nation-building, besides restoring the old traditions of respect, hospitality, moral and religious values and Indian cultural heritage for the benefit of society.

Some of the senior citizens after being honoured at a function by the Senior Citizens Federation, North Zone, in Red Bishop, Panchkula, on Sunday.  — A Tribune photograph

This was stated by Babu Parmanand, the Governor of Haryana, while addressing the annual day function of the Senior Citizens Federation (SENFED), north zone, here today.

The Governor said adequate provisions had been made in the Indian Constitution to protect the interests of the weaker sections of society. The government had also framed a National Policy to provide a purpose, dignity and peace to the elderly persons.

The state government was also concerned about the security, healthcare, shelter and pensions of the senior citizens in the state. He assured members of SENFED, that he would consider their demands and extend assistance to them.

The general secretary of SENFED alleged that though the Government of India had declared a National Policy on Older Pensioners in February 1999, nothing had been done in this regard so far.

The patron of the federation and the president of the Haryana Federation highlighted various welfare activities of their organisations.

Apart from releasing a souvenir of the federation, the Governor honoured some office-bearers and members of the federation for extending excellent services to senior citizens.

Most places below 40°C mark

Chandigarh, June 10
The maximum temperatures at most places in the north-west continued to be under the 40° C mark on the tenth day of what is supposed to be the hottest month of the year.

Following frequent rains at regular intervals over the past one week in the region, the city recorded a high of 36.4° C, four degrees below normal.

In Haryana, Ambala too had a near similar high at 36.2° C, five degrees below normal. Hisar at 40.2° C, was still two degrees below normal.

Most places in Punjab too stayed under the 40° C mark. Amritsar recorded a high of 37.8° C, three degrees below normal. Patiala and Ludhiana stood at 36.9° C and 38.1° C, respectively, both four degrees below normal.

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla recorded a pleasant high of 25.1° C. Bhuntar, however, was a little warmer at 33.7° C. Sundernagar also stayed close to this high at 33.7° C.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar recorded a high of 31.7° C, three degrees above normal. Jammu though warmer at 36.8° C, was still four degrees below normal.

Safdarjung and Palam in Delhi recorded respective highs of 38.2° C and 39.0° C, two degrees below normal.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau here has said that an upper air cyclonic circulation persists over central Pakistan and the adjoining Punjab extending up to 1.5 km above sea level. Light-to-moderate rain has been forecast at a few places in Himachal Pradesh and at isolated places in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh. UNI

STATE OF ROADS
Modern only in name
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh
The roads crisis-crossing the Modern Housing Complex in Mani Majra now exist only as stretches of cobbled stones. Driving on these roads is a test of the motorist’s skill and his capacity to endure jerks. There are no berms or footpaths. Visitors from outside refuse to believe that it is a part of the City Beautiful.

The complex has been in existence for more than eight years, and the roads, which have not been metalled properly ever since these were built, are now dotted by potholes of different shapes and sizes. Mr B.C. Sharma, a retired UT employee, lamented that their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. The Municipal Corporation sometimes does some patchwork. But it is an exercise in futility. The patches wear off in no time because of the weak upper crust.

Mr M.C. Singla, a retired bank officer, highlighting the woes of the residents, said that the problem would become severe during the rains, when the pot holes turn into cess pools even after a shower. The plight of two wheeler riders is pitiable. They have to wade through slush and knee-deep water.

Some other residents complained that the narrow inner roads increased the chances of accidents. Dr Rakesh Soni, a private practitioner in the complex, pointed out that even though the complex was a part of the city, it had not so far been accorded the status of a sector. Development did not take place at the same pace as it did in the regular sectors, he said.

Dr Soni is of the view that rumble strips should be provided at the entry and exit points in the complex.

Ms Meenu Verma, a student, pointed out that the authorities concerned had promised to complete cementing of footpaths in the area in February but the work still remained to be done. Gagandeep, another resident, was sore that the Mayor, Mr Raj Kumar Goyal, was not paying attention to this area and the condition of its roads, even though it was part of his ward.

However, the locality in which the Mayor lives gets a far better deal. There are developed green belts, sodium vapour street lights and tiled footpaths, besides cemented road berms.

Mr Jagdish Chander Gulati, a retired principal, repents his decision to shift from Phagwara to this so-called posh locality, which is lacking even in basic facilities. The dilapidated condition of the inner roads has made life difficult for the residents. Rash driving of school buses on these narrow and badly maintained roads increases the chances of accidents.

Mr Arun Sharma, an engineer, highlighted the poor condition of the approach road from the Railway crossing and pointed out the need for strengthening it since a large volume of traffic from Mani Majra town and the complex passes through it. Another road from the Telephone Exchange to ‘Raen Basera’, which is a one-way road, is also causing traffic hazards. A parallel road exists but it is not being used because it is yet to be metalled. Street lights on these roads also do not function properly.

Corporation officials maintain that they are unable to mend matters for want of funds. But this does not convince the residents who point out that work of tiling the footpaths in Shivalik Enclave (where the Mayor lives) began much later, but has been completed whereas in the Modern Housing Complex, it remains incomplete. The authorities also attribute the condition of the roads to the increase in traffic after the construction of the Army Housing Complex.

Discussion on invitation to Musharraf
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
Janshakti, a social organisation, organised an open discussion on “Invitation to General Musharraf and the Kashmir problem” at the Lajpat Rai Bhavan here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj-Gen Rajinder Nath(Retd), said India was in a strong position both economically and militarily. While efforts should be made to maintain peace, we should also keep ready to counter nefarious designs of Pakistan.

Dr Desh Raj Bhagi, a freedom fighter, expressed concern at the weak policy of the present government regarding Pakistan. He was of the opinion that there should be no talks with Pakistan till cross-border terrorism was stopped by Pakistan.

The Principal of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Col D.S. Cheema (Retd), referred to 78,000 sq km of territory illegally occupied by Pakistan out of two lakh sq km area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prof Surinder Singh Suri, while going into the genesis of the Kashmir problem, said in the new world order national boundaries were becoming weak and regionalism was emerging strong.

600 attend Rotary assembly
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
The district assembly of the Rotary International District 3080, “manavta milan”, held here today, was a big draw with over 600 delegates from 68 clubs participating in the annual event.

Ms Anuradha Gupta, Financial Commissioner, Haryana, delivered the keynote address on community leadership and social responsibility.

The incoming district governor, Mr Subhash Garg, unveiled the Rotary’s theme “Mankind is our business”.

The outgoing governor, Mr Ranjit Bhatia, said the district assembly was a training ground for the new leaders to understand community needs and respond with necessary service projects. Later Mr Bhatia presented awards to Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in recognition of their efforts and service projects undertaken by them. The Rotary Club, Chandigarh, the Rotary Club, Midtown, and the Rotary Club, Central, were awarded for being the outstanding clubs.

The Rotary Club, Chandigarh, hosted the function under the leadership of Mr Praveen Chander Goyal and Ms Kawal Bedi, district assembly chairman.

Voice training in newsreading
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
The first session of TV newsreading and radio jockeying workshop being conducted by IAAN creations was all about improvement of voice and speech. For the many newcomers to the field, the idea of establishing control over the voice for better communication was rather new. But doubts began to get dispelled without much effort. And this, for the simple reason that taking the workshop on voice modulation and speech therapy was none other than one of the masters of the field himself, the famous Doordarshan Hindi newscaster Mr Ved Prakash.

For Mr Prakash, it was the second association with the workshop. He had also conducted a session during the last radio jockey workshop organised by the same organisation some four months back. Attending the maiden session of the 15-day long workshop were about 30 participants, all eager to court the coveted profession.

The session developed gradually, from ways of testing voice to the ways of improving the same. The idea was to tell the participants how they could make their voice vibrant, confident and appealing to listeners. Mr Praksah talked about the various exercises which could add strength to the normal voice. “Steady practice requires self discipline, the exercise of will power, and a sensible investment of time and energy.”

Among the various effective exercises in the regard, are breathing exercises which aims at helping to breathe deeply and retain breath for a long time. The retention of breath is significant in that it helps a future newsreader convey much more substance without allowing the string of voice to break. This adds punch to his personality and helps him grow beyond others, who cannot go beyond a normal voice.

Then there are exercises for the tongue, another for loosening the bottom jaw and improving one’s clarity and resonance of voice.

Here the stress is on teaching learners how to speak up words by emphasising them at proper intervals. Resonance and strength of voice were equally emphasised by the visiting expert, who talked about the ways in which the voice could be made powerful and interesting to the listener.

The workshop will continue for 14 days between 5pm and 7 pm at Hotel Aroma.

Sec 29 residents hold rally
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
A rally was organised by residents of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) flats in Sector 29 in support of their demands.

Various speakers at the rally, organised under the banner of the CHB Federation, wanted CHB to have a fresh look at the problems of additions and alterations, so that certain facilities could be given to residents.

They also wanted that the policy of compounding and regularisation of architecturally-sound structures should be adopted by the board.

Addressing the rally, the president of the Chandigarh Vikas Manch, Mr Harmohan Dhawan, urged the authorities to make the amended bylaws condition-free, so that the allottees could benefit from the new policy of the board.

He also announced that the manch activists would sit on a relay fast with members of the federation from July 20 to July 28.

Residents happy with merger
Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, June 10
The residents of Bhabhat village and other surrounding villages appreciated the proposal to merge the village with the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat.

Besides Bhabhat panchayat, various other panchayats including Bartana, Lohgarh, Nabha, Dyalpura, Alipur and Jhiorheri, have welcomed the above mentioned decision of the Punjab Government.

Mr Dharam Singh, sarpanch of Bhabhat village, said that there was jubilation all around over the government’s proposal and they were now waiting for the final notification in their favour.

The Bhabhat panchayat have criticised some traders who have filed objections on the merger of the village in the civic body. The objections raised by the traders were baseless and business-orientated they maintain.

Kalash yatra taken out
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10
A four-day All-India Vedant Sammelan started in Sector 45-C here today.

As part of the sammelan, a “kalash yatra”, which was inaugurated by Swami Prem Puri Ji Maharaj, was taken out from the Shiv Shakti Mandir, Sector 30 to the site of the “sammelan”. Hundreds of women carrying “kalashes”of ‘Ganga jal’ on their heads led the “yatra”, which passed through Sectors 30, 20 and 32 before culminating at Sector 45.

A number of religious organisations of the city are participating in the sammelan, which will conclude on the night of June 13 with a “Puran ahuti and ashirwad samaroh”. Discourses on the Vedas, Puranas and the Bhagwad Gita, will be delivered during the sammelan.

G.K. Bedi elected
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, June 10
Dr G.K Bedi was elected as district chairman of the Inner Wheel District 308 for 2001-2002 here today. Ms Anita Saluja was elected as vice-president, Ms Saroj Kakkar as secretary and Ms Veena as ESO of the club.

Dr Bedi, in her inaugural address, urged the members to realise the International Inner Wheel theme “ Enthusiasm creates action”. She said the club would launch a campaign against female foeticide, population development and AIDS. She said these were some of the major projects apart from the medical, educational, vocational and environmental projects which the club would undertake to serve the community.

The outgoing district chairman, Ms Sunita Sharma, welcomed the delegates comprising 38 clubs spread over the states of Haryana, Punjab, UP, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

Transfer of MC official demanded
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, June 10
A Municipal Councillor from Phase XI, Mr Amrik Singh, in a complaint to the Secretary, Local Government has sought transfer of the in charge of the sanitation wing of the local civic body for his participation in the elections of the civic body in August last.

Mr Singh in his statement said the sanitary inspector had canvassed in favour of a candidate from ward no 24. As per the rule 5 of the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1966, no government employee could take part in any election, he said.

‘I avoid vulgarity’
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, June 10
Singer Surjit Khan said here yesterday that he had a preference for folk music, but one had to move with the times or one would be left behind. His latest cassette and CD, “Pyar Diyan Doran”, was launched last week.

Boy missing
Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, June 10
A 10-year-old Binder, resident of Bartana village, near here, has been missing since June 4. According to his father, Mr Sham Lal, Binder left the house for market and has not come back. 

FENG SHUI TIPS
Furniture in a home

The flow of Chi is very important in Feng Shui. Chi should glow as smoothly as possible in a house. For this to happen one has to arrange the furniture in such a way that the Chi moves with ease along with the furniture kept in a home. Always place one’s furniture and decorative objects in a simple and balanced configuration.

In a living room the best way to position the furniture is parallel to the walls. Always try to keep the centre of the room open — with just a centre table — so that the Chi circulates properly and helps to relieve stress.

If the room is very large, one can position some pieces of furniture diagonally in the corners to create the feeling of roundness. Never create obstacles by putting too much furniture in a room because this will not let the Chi move smoothly.

Furniture that is too large for the space is always wrong as this will create a little stress for people sitting in that room. In Feng Shui it is always good to sit with your back to a wall so that you can look into the town.

It is better to keep decorative objects on one wall of the living room so that you are left with three walls for your furniture. Avoid arranging furniture in ways that interfere with, or complicate, normal routine.

In short, the living place should be arranged in such a way that not only the Chi flows in a good way but the room also serves as a resting place for your mental energy. 

— Harshna

Address your Feng Shui queries to:
E-mail: fengshui@tribuneindia.com 
Postal address: C/o F.S. TIPS
The Tribune, Sector-29, Chandigarh-160020.

CHANDIGARH CALLING

FOR the first time in past couple of years the Shramdaan — voluntary effort to manually de-silt the Sukhna lake in Chandigarh — received a good response from city residents as well as officials of the Chandigarh Administration.

Senior officials of the administration made it a point to go to the lake each morning. Students of schools and colleges also did exemplary work at Sukhna Lake in desilting. These included Govt Sr Sec School, Sector 21; Industrial Training Institute, Sector 28; Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26; Director, NSS, Chd; Panjab University; DAV Model School, Sector 15; Govt Sr Sec School, Sector 18; Dev Samaj School, Sector 21; Govt High School, Sector 7; and Govt College of Education, Sector 20, Chandigarh.

Departments and organisations also stepped up their efforts to save Sukhna — one of the famous tourist spots and favourite destination of the morning walkers. Among the major participants were the engineering department, UT power generation giant Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Army Engineers, the Haryana drainage department and the Punjab drainage department.

Last week the administration honoured 43 city residents who regularly come to participate in the shramdaan. The local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, had sent in six tippers ( earth excavating machines) costing about Rs 45 lakh from his MP Local Area Development Fund to be used for Municipal Corporation work as well as in shramdaan at lake.

The administration roped in sponsors like CITCO, MILKFED, Haryana Dairy Development, ICICI Bank, Quark, Talwar Dairy, Hotel & Restaurant Association of Chandigarh and Shiv Bhandar Sector 26.

Defiling of Sukhna

The serene Sukhna lake, hitherto a haven for joggers, health freaks, casual visitors and, of course, the weary Chandigarhians, who flock to seek momentary reprieve from the blazing winds and the stressful city life, is fast shaping up into a place of pandemonium and trash-dumping ground.

People can be seen sauntering around along with their pets. The presence of these canines keep the passersby on their toes to meet an eventuality.

The over-enthusiastic joggers do not use the track earmarked for them. They can be seen jog-trotting and jostling away with a jumbled crowd of visitors, especially during their evening promenade. Some even do aerobic exercises on the lake lawns. Picnickers, too, contribute their mite in defiling these well-manicured lawns by littering away bread and biscuit wrappings and other refuse.

The “gutka” and “paan-chewing” clan makes it all the more ugly and unsightly. Cigarette butts and half-burnt beeries can be seen scattered around despite the provision of refuse-bins. The undaunted few cross all parameters of sanity by surreptitiously slipping into the bushes, adjacent to the jogging track, and easing themselves.

The children entertainment corner, confectionery and refreshment joints, more often than not, remain crowded due to their close proximity. The light music played to enthral music-lovers becomes a misnomer as the melodious tunes die down in the deafening din of the milling crowd storming these hotspots. Is the Chandigarh Administration listening?

Pressing problem

Chandigarh’s straight talking Administrator, Lieut Gen J.F. R. Jacob (Retd), known not to mince words, has done it again. He has asked officials to re-deploy surplus staff of the Government Printing Press in other departments of the Chandigarh where a staff shortage exists.

In Chandigarh, despite its small size, several cadres of employees working in various departments exist. But due to some short-sightedness of the bureaucracy about three decades ago none of the employees is inter -transferable. This in a way breeds contempt for the rules as the employees know that they will never be shifted out. Merging of all cadres and forming a uniform cadre has been on the cards for long.

In case of the government press it is brimming with additional staff and once modernisation is carried out more and more employees will be surplus. Sample this the binding section of the press has 158 government employees. With the Government of India not sanctioning any new posts the idea seems right to re-deploy employees in other places. However, employees true to their sarkari upbringing reacted sharply. Their union issued a statement that efforts should be made to bring work to the press.

The employees probably need to be told that more work will require better quality of machines and these machines need an even smaller workforce to run. And all this ruckus is being raised even as the administration has said that employees’ status as government servants will be protected.

A “discrimination”

“Why does the Chandigarh Housing Board make distinction between the general power of attorney (GPA) holders of the flat allotted under the discretionary quota and under the general quota for the purpose of getting the flat transferred in the name of the GPA holders”, asks a Chandigarhian.

Earlier the Housing Board used its “discreet” at the time of allotment of a flat under the quota and now it “discriminates’ by imposing such undesirable restriction, and on both the account, the sufferer is the common man.

So over to the Chandigarh Administrator, Lt. Gen (Retd) J.F.R. Jacob for saving the commoner from a feeling of his being beaten twice. Such condition of barring the GPA holder of flat allotted under the discretionary quota should be removed immediately.

Drawing the line

The Chandigarh traffic police has started a special drive to check motorists who are in habit of jumping the red light. For the purpose, special naakas are being set up near the various traffic light points. Help of plain cloth police personnel is also taken to apprehend the ‘‘jumpers’’.

However, police’s own house is not in order. The mandatory stop line and zebra crossing is missing at several traffic light points in the city.

There is no such line or crossing at the busy Transport Chowk light points. The “pedestrian crossing” signboard is lying on the ground (see photo on top of the page by Manoj Mahajan). There are several other light points where the stopline and zebra crossing are missing, including the one near the Panjab University gate. Interestingly, on the newly erected light points, the authorities concerned forgot to mark the line and crossing — traffic light point on the dividing road of Sectors 24 is an example.

Urban biodiversity

The Environment Society of India (ESI) is launching a campaign to plant the saplings of mangoes (Mangifera indica) in about 450 mango groves in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The sites on which these towns were built were dotted with mango trees. Although the trees preservation order, 1952, issued by the Capital project authority, Chandigarh, has saved many mango groves in Chandigarh, yet several mango trees have collapsed due to old age and storms. For example, the number of mango trees in the city birds sanctuary in 1989 was 20, now the number has gone down to eight only.

Besides, the ESI has urged the Chandigarh administration, HUDA and PUDA to reduce the use of pesticides and chemicals. The sparrows die when they take the dead flies killed by insecticide bait. Similarly chemical fogging operations have an adverse effect on useful insects like bees, glowworms, butterflies etc.

In old cities the people used to put up earthen jars on the house tops and spread grain and water for the birds. The ESI will launch educational campaign asking the citizens to place birdbaths and feed the birds. These actions will promote biodiversity.

Punjabi pride

It was a moment of pride for the Punjabi theatre buffs when the Punjabi musical play Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh was successfully staged at one of India’s best auditoriums — The Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.

The play was staged to mark the conclusion of inter-state Prithviraj Kapoor Theatre Festival on the 29th death anniversary of the doyen of Hindi cinema. The play was so well rated that its two performances were staged under the festival organised by National Theatre Arts Society — one at Jammu and another at Pathankot.

The cynosure of all eyes during the festival was the director couple Pran and Sunita Sabbharwal, who were even honoured by Mr Harbans Singh, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir.

The script of the play was written by Sunita herself and the cast included a number of local actors also. The shows were sponsored by North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. This was perhaps the first time a Punjabi play was getting such a tremendous response in another state. This is just a step towards strengthening Punjabi theatre.

No speed limit boards

Although the Administration’s engineering wing has done a lot of good to the residents of Sectors 33, 34, 44 and 45 by repairing the dividing roads, it needs to be reminded that the speed limit signboards are yet to be put back. About two months back when work on these roads started, these signboards had been removed to facilitate the repairs. But these have not been restored. The result is lack of awareness about the speed to be maintained in these areas.

Residents also take it easy by driving as fast as they want to and nothing much can be done about this problem. The reason being the excuse that there is no indication about the limit to be maintained. The indications should be made available at the earliest lest lives of people should be endangered.

Labour of love

It was a brave and wise act on the part of Colonel Hoshiar Singh Yadav (retd), a resident of Category I in Modern Housing Complex, Manimajra, who initiated the effort of having a long barricade in the lane of garages located at the back of the multi-storeyed flats built eight years back. All these years, the residents of the Duplex (Independent) houses which came into being much after the Multistoreyed flats, had always preferred to cross these garages lane in order to reach the main shopping complex. This had resulted in fast moving vehicles both four and two wheeler endangering the children and adults, specially during late evening hours since there was no lighting in these garages.

Col Yadav helped by other residents of the block then put up a proposal to the Chandigarh Housing Board for their help. But the latter told them to get the barricades built at their own cost since the lane was a private property of the occupants and the CHB cannot made it a public passage. The barricades built with iron pipes have now benefited directly the residents of eight blocks of category I, each having 24 flats, thus a total of 192 flats. All this was done by Col Yadav and other residents of this block at their own expenses. But surprisingly they are yet to get any financial support from other block residents who benefited by this societal cause.

Distress call

Two weeks back, we wrote about 30-year-old Tulsi Devi who required a double valve transplant and was in dire need of money. We received a spontaneously tremendous response from readers and there were letters from far off places offering help.

The story of Jamuna Devi, who belongs to Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh, is somewhat similar. She suffers from a serious heart ailment. Her husband, Vinod Kumar, is out of job and the couple has two children. In short, the story is heart rending.

As per the estimate given by the Cardiology Department, PGI, Jamuna Devi urgently requirs Rs 1,75,000 to undergo an ASD device closure. And all those who wish to extend their help can contact at 221-A, Sector 14, Chandigarh.

Dr R.C. Sobti

Dr R.C. Sobti, Professor and founding Chairman (1989-2000) of the Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, has been unanimously elected President of the Punjab Academy of Sciences.

The academy is responsible for development of science in Punjab. It has dignatories like Prof Yash Paul, Prof R.P. Bambah, Prof R.C. Mahajan and other senior scientists as its Fellows.

Dr Sobti has so far been the vice-president of the prestigious organisation.

—Sentinel

CRIME

Three cases of theft in city
Tribune News Service

Later, the police also made a DDR entry about the incident.

PANCHKULA

Bicycle thief held:
The Panchkula police has arrested Joginder Singh for stealing a bicycle. Police said that the accused had been trying to evade arrest from the Punjab police. Hailing from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, the accused was earlier arrested by the Punjab Police in April along with his accomplice, Anil. A case has been registered with the Sector 19 police station.

Five arrested:
As many as five persons were arrested by the Pinjore police for illegal mining. Police sources said the accused were arrested on the night of June 8 when they were mining illegally. The police has also impounded five tractors and some other tools from their possession. A case under the Mining Act has been registered against the accused.

BUSINESS

Traders protest against taxes
Our Correspondent

Mr Pratap Chaudhary, general secretary of the Mandal, said that the traders had also opposed the enhanced electricity charges and installation of digital meters by the Electricity Department. In addition to this, the traders have also demanded a provision to regularise basements of booths for additional space for storage of goods in various sectors of the township.