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| Monday,
February 4, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Customer stands to gain in telecom competition Chandigarh, February 3 Connect, which provides basic and limited mobility services (CDMA- based) in Punjab and Chandigarh, will come out with Unified Messaging Service and Voice Messaging within about two months. Both services will be available on the landline (fixed and wireless terminals) as well as the CDMA mobile phones. “It will be another value-added service for our subscribers, who can hope to get many more value additions in future”, said Mr Vijay Kaul, chief marketing officer, Connect. Voice messaging, under which a Connect phone subscriber will get the facility of leaving a message on his Connect phone when he is not available, is being introduced for the first time in landline services, claims the company. Under the ‘Fone2mail’ service, one can send voice messages or fax pages worldwide by making a local call. The caller can send personal or official voice messages in any language. “This will enable substantial savings for long distance (STD/ISD) callers — individuals, corporates, exporters and youngsters, where the voice message sent or the fax will go to the receivers mailbox as an attachment”, said Mr Kaul. The Unified Messaging Service is in testing stage and is likely to be launched by April this year. The address book of the intended recipient’s mail address is created for the subscriber and corresponding numeric codes are generated. The subscriber also has the option of creating or editing the address book himself by visiting the Connect website. After dialling the local phone number and getting authentication, the user has to punch in the recipient’s code number , following which he can record his voice or start sending the fax message through his fax machine. Within a few minutes, the intended recipients get the voice message or fax message in his mail account as an attachment in wave or tiff format alongwith the sender’s mail ID. Mr Kaul said the company had started launching these value added services now as launching of these services required a certain minimum subscriber base. “We have currently 55,000 subscribers in Punjab and Chandigarh. The launch of this service will mean more usage on Connect phone lines”, he said. Regarding the tariffs for these services, he said these were yet to be finalised. |
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Panther skin seized, 1 held Pinjore, February 3 The accused, Daulatiya, a shepherd, however, said he had been implicated by a relative but the Forest Department staff maintained otherwise. They said he was a proclaimed offender and was also undergoing trial in a case under the Wildlife Protection Act in Hisar. It is learnt that the Forest Department had received a tip off that a resident of Bangala Colony in Kalka was in possession of a panther skin. It was then that a team of Wildlife Department staff led by Inspector Sada Ram and with help of the local police, rushed to the spot and recovered the skin. The skin, which had been tied up in a piece of cloth, had been hidden beneath the jute mattresses. While talking to TNS, Daulatiya said he was a resident of Majra Mehta village and ownes a herd of 50 goats. “My sons make jute matresses in Bangala Colony. When I came back this morning to the colony, I was shocked to see wildlife officials and police in my house,” he says. He accused his relative, Om Prakash of implicating him as he had not paid the latter a sum of Rs 11,000. Incidentally, Wildlife Department team also raided the house of Om Prakash and recovered an iron trap from his residence. However, Wildlife Department officials are sceptical that Daulatiya has been implicated. Mr Ved Prakash, DFO Pinjore Morni, informed that the accused had been booked in a case in Hisar, when he had killed a wild cat and a palm civet. He said it appeared that the panther had been skinned only 10-15 days ago and that the skin would be sent for a chemical examination to ascertain this. It may be noted that there are about 18 panthers in the forests of Panchkula district, with maximum number of these being found in Morni. However, Mr Prakash ruled out that the panther had been killed in Pinjore forest area.” The accused has been booked under Section 39 of the Wildlife Protection Act. |
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Societies get land at a cost, encroachers for free Chandigarh, February 3 Similarly another lot of societies await allotment in Sector 50 where, as per the Administration’s own records, area under encroachment includes 60 cattle sheds, 10 saw mills, 6 to 8 kabaris, 250 jhuggies and 2 poultry sheds. All this is illegal but a massive clean up operation is required before allotment. Plots were allotted to societies after thousands of middle class people paid up lakhs of rupees at the rate of Rs 2,850 per square yard for the land. Now, as a little safety net for itself the Administration is not handing over physical possession to the societies in Sector 49. This, according to sources the administration cannot do as the plots are under encroachment of all kinds. Cattle sheds where hundreds of buffaloes and cows are reared by villagers to supply milk in neighbouring sectors exist, on the plots earmarked for societies. In case of Sector 49 at least the allotment letters have been issued but for those waiting allotment in Sector 50 even the letters have not been issued. The draw of lots was held way back in December 2000. Then the Administration had collected the first instalment, from members of housing societies. To remove these people will take months. Just before the MC elections removal of these people was stopped. As of date these plots belong to the Administration which had acquired these years ago while ignoring the
encroachments. Societies are pestering the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) as well as the Estate Office to give them physical possession of the land. Already the cost of land has spiralled out of reach of the average salaried class citizen of the city. When the scheme was floated the cost of land was Rs 750 per square yard today it is Rs 2,850 per square yard in case of freehold allotment. A total of 140 acre spread across four southern sectors of the city had been identified for allotment to various co-operative housing societies for the construction of multi-storeyed residential flats. A draw of lots of eligible societies was held but no one bothered to check the ground realities that
encroachments are existing. Each flat, including the land cost, will cost each member approximately Rs 15 lakh, says the president of a society, which is on the list of societies yet to receive a
allotment letter for a society in Sector 50. |
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Ad revenue under MCC purview likely Chandigarh, February 3 ‘’The Administration, in principle, has agreed to allow MCC generate revenue from display of advertisement and a formal communication in this regard may come soon,’’ sources told Chandigarh Tribune here today. The decision is likely to give the corporation revenue potential, of Rs 6 crore. The Administration’s likely permission on advertisement display was being seen as a reward for the Congress, which had stood by the UT Administration’s decision on paid parking, showing tenacity to be ready for progressive economic measures. Paid parking was viewed as the Administration testing waters for revenue generation measures and response of the political parties and the people. The Administration’s inclination to approve a proposal for giving advertisement revenues to the MCC was communicated to a top Congress leader. Its promptness to agree to the proposal taken up recently by local MP Pawan Bansal came in contrast with the period of the BJP dominance in the last House. The BJP had been resisting resource generation measures apparently because it had promised a tax-free corporation in 1996 in its MCC election manifesto. The MCC had framed byelaws for advertisement display more than a year ago, but those as well as transfer of rights to
the corporation were not approved, apparently because the BJP was not showing inclination to move on the resource generation path. The Congress seemed to be getting rewarded for showing courage on the paid parking issue despite resisting the Administration’s attempt to bring property tax on the January 28 House meeting agenda. The Congress had argued that as the corporation had the responsibility of streetlights and paying a hefty power bill to the Administration, it had rights to allow advertisement display on electricity poles. |
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With poll near, periphery Act carries
weight SAS Nagar, February 3 Blaming successive regimes for ignoring their demands, the voters in the peripheral areas are grouping under one or the other banner to project the vote bank they hold. The dissidence among the Congress and the SAD, which means a close margin of victory, is seeing the candidates admit that every single vote will matter. Acknowledging the fact, the Congress candidate from Kharar, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, today promised a gathering of villagers from Kambali village to take
up Similar resentment was being aired by the populace in other villages located on the outskirts of Chandigarh. Alleging stepmotherly treatment, residents of Balongi, adjoining SAS Nagar and Lalru, bordering Ambala City, said despite cases of constituting civic bodies in their area fulfilling the laid-down criteria, the state government had not heeded to their demand. They lamented that the influential people owning land in Naya Gaon village had got the area converted into Notified Area Committee. Nobody had cared about their demand, said Dr Jasmer Singh. He added that the announcement to regularise the construction in the periphery till November 3, 2001, was a political gimmick. |
Naya Gaon murder: police clueless Chandigarh, February 3 According to police sources, special teams have been formed to apprehend the accused. The police has already arrested three persons for the murder. Meanwhile, Congress supporters claim they were being implicated falsely as the murder has nothing to do with elections and the SAD was trying to give political colour. Kaka Singh, a resident of Panchkula district in adjoining Haryana died yesterday at the PGI after he was stabbed by three persons on Friday night in the election office of the SAD in Naya Gaon. This was the second poll related violent incident reported from the area. Earlier, Congress supporters alleged that one of their workers was attacked by supporters of the SAD. Yesterday Naya Goan observed complete bandh with SAD candidate Ujagar Singh Wadali and BJP state president Brij Lal Rinwa reaching there to address an impromptu condolence meeting. |
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COME spring and there is a fusion of mystifying colours and contours everywhere. While the charismatic chrysanthemum unfolds a colourful panorama of sorts, the blooming balsam and barbina weave a winsome web of magic and mystery. The dancing daffodils, daisies and dahlias entice even the stone-hearted, while the lotus and lilies lend luminosity to the city’s serene surroundings. The haze of marigold and magnohia and the stunning of jasmine, jacaranda and narcissus set the subdued spirit souring high. The variety is endless. While the snow-white sunflower plays the perfect fairy, wooing a weary wayfarer, the gorgeous candy-tuft and the crimson bougainvillaes, with a streak of pink, look like a newlywedded bride in her bridal finery. The cynosure of all eyes is the legendary rose which has earned the city an affectionate soubriquet of being “the city of roses”. The well-manicured city gardens, meticulously hemmed by swaying, golden amaltas and soul-lifting gulmohars dotting the bustling boulevards, extend a rousing welcome to the spring. It is not only we humanbeings but also our wild neighbours and the feathered friends who extend their welcome to the spring! True performer A true performer is never flustered by the strength of his audience. He is so busy offering the best of his art that it matters little to him whether the hall is empty. On January 31, Ustad Salim Iqbal performed in a rather-empty auditorium of Pracheen Kala Kendra. One was quite amused to see the meagre strength of audience at the Kendra, which has the reputation of getting good gathering for maestros. Heartening to note was the fact that Ustad Salim performed with as much zest as he would have in case there was a greater strength of people. He gave his best, doling out one melody after another. Finally, there was nothing between the singer and the listener — except a bond of rhythm. S.T. barrier Both the Punjab and Haryana Governments had announced with great fanfare sometimes ago the removal of sales tax check barriers which caused bottlenecks on roads. The decision was hailed by the public as it did ease congestion problems at those spots. However, one invariably finds a large number of trucks parked on both sides of the road at the Lalru sales tax barrier causing great inconvenience and risk of accidents to the motorists. It is, therefore, high time that the functioning of the sales tax barrier be suspended from that place till at lest slip roads on both sides of the road at that point are constructed to ensure free flow of traffic on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala road. Keshub Mahindra Mr Keshub Mahindra, who has been awarded Padma Bhushan in recognition of his contribution in the field of industrial and educational development in the country, is not a stranger to this region. His father belonged to Ludhiana and mother to Paragpur in Kangra. He is the life member of the governing body of the Centre for Research in Rural Development (CRRID) and also the President of the Society of CRRID. Though he is the Chairman of the Mahindra and Mahindra, a company which he had joined as a Director in 1948, after doing his B.Sc. from Wharton , University of Pennsylvania, and rose to the present position in 1963, he has always been looking forward for continuing his association with the region. Recently, his company came forward to open an IT Park at SAS Nagar and also manage the IIT promoted by the Punjab Government. He is also a member of the State Planning Board, Punjab. Thanks to women The Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi presented six theatre veterans with special awards last week. The evening was all about the greatness of Punjabi theatre on the one hand and that of its promoters on the other. Among the awarded personalities were Vijay Tandon, Ajmer Singh Aulakh, Devinder Daman, G.S. Chani, and Sudershan Maini. There were speeches, as always, and most of them focused on men in the field of Punjabi theatre. There was virtually no mention of the great writers like Dalip Kaur Tiwana and many other women theatre activists, who are equally credited with the revival of Punjabi theatre. G.S. Chani, not only noticed this, but also expressed his concern. After receiving the award, he came up to the stage and announced. “As far as my memory goes, Mrs Ajmer Singh Aulakh has assisted her husband greatly in promoting theatre, so has Mrs Devinder Daman. Even in my case, I must not forget to mention that while I am receiving this award alone, the credit of my community theatre system goes equally to my wife Harleen Kohli.” He added: “I don’t know why we cannot share our credits with our wives, even though we boast of such high awareness standards”. Eco-clubs After a gap of 12 years government and private schools in Chandigarh will resume environment awareness and action based activities, but this time under the newly raised “National Green Corps” (NGS). Under this nationwide scheme 100 schools have been selected. Each school has 50 members of eco-club drawn from class V to XII. A two-day training course was organised last week by the Environment Department,
Chandigarh administration. Cross-voting The UT unit of the Congress recently sought the intervention of goddess Mansa Devi to catch a black sheep from its 13-member group in the municipal corporation after one of them cross-voted on January 28 in election to a committee. It seems the goddess failed before the guiles of politicians as all 13 councillors vowed before the Mansa Devi that they did not cross vote. Then to prick the conscience of the “guilty”, the party invoked Mahatma Gandhi on the martyrdom day of the Father of the Nation on January 30. At a function held at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the party cursed the “black sheep and his or her family with misfortune”. The local party MP claims the cross-voter has been identified without revealing a name. But as long as secret ballot is there, the cross-voter could go scot free for want of proof. The cross-voting managed by the Chandigarh Vikas Manch led by former Union Minister Harmohan Dhawan has, however, shaken the confidence of the Congress to be able to bind together its flock during the five years ahead. The Congress is probably afraid that the fate of the BJP, which was rejected by the people for indulging in groupism, may be fall if. Care for bus stops? It is high time the Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) began looking into the state of bus stops all over the city. While two bus stops of Sector 18 and Sector 36 have already collapsed, the Sector 22 bus stop now seems to be next in the line. While the road to Sector 17 bus stand was recently repaired, much to the comfort of commuters, attention needs to be immediately shifted to the condition of the Sector 22 bus stop, which lies opposite the main bus stand. With all its slabs falling off gradually, the day is not far when cement and clay will be all that is left of this bus stop (see picture). A commuter was reportedly also hurt when a brick fell on his head while he was waiting for a local bus. Quibbling Efforts towards beautification and environment, it seems, cannot take care of sanitation in the city if Congress argument for a Sanitation Committee were to be believed. In its first business meeting of the newly constituted municipal corporation, the Congress said there was a need for a Sanitation Committee in the corporation to clean the city. The BJP, which ruled during the first term of the corporation till December, 2001, said it was covered in a broader perspective under the Environment and Beautification Committee already constituted under the old dispensation. But the Congress was not convinced saying sanitation was ignored by the earlier committee. So, a new committee specifically for sanitation was required. The House approved the Congress’ proposal. People, however, may be surprised whether beauty and environment of the city could have been protected without sanitation. It was probably a game of scoring a political point over a rival. Upwardly mobile Cellular telephones provided by the government to senior officers seem to have become an intolerable nuisance. Some time ago the Haryana Government had politely told Financial Commissioners and Secretaries to Government either not to keep their mobile telephones with them or keep them off while attending meetings with ministers and the Chief Minister. However, the “polite” saying did not work on the officers and they continued to carry their mobile phones with them. Now the Chief Secretary has, however, taken a rather serious note of this habit of senior officers and has shot off a rather stern note asking them not to carry their mobile telephones while going to attend meetings with the Chief Minister. The note, inter alias, says: “..... Government has observed that the instructions issued vide letter No. Steno/US/(G)/2001 dated January 12, 2001, are not being followed strictly. It is, therefore, reiterated that the practice of bringing mobile phones in the meetings with Hon’ble Chief Minister should be stopped forthwith and the instructions be complied with meticulously”. Personal assets Disclosure of personal assets seems to be the latest slogan among the candidates in the fray for the general assembly elections in Punjab. Gauging that the electorate is bored with the same issues which the politicians harp upon in each elections, a new entrant during a rally in SAS Nagar challenged his “seasoned rivals” on the issue of personal assets allegedly amassed by them over the years. Tailpiece Amid hot poll campaigns for the forthcoming Punjab elections, this subtle quote flashed across a placard by a PU student caught greater attention: “For forms of government let fools contest; whoever is the best administered is the best.”
— Sentinel |
Unadulterated humour for you Chandigarh, February 3 “Mr Virdi’s joke collection comes at a time when the entire world is being engulfed by tension and depression,” said Bhatti as he talked about the contents of the book. The jokes compiled by him impart clean humour without targeting any particular community, he added. Mr Virdi, a Chief Sub-Editor with The Tribune, is not an unfamiliar name for book lovers. The author of three sports-related books — ‘Sikh in Sports’, ‘Sikh Olympians’, ‘Battles of Blue Steed,’ and a biography ‘Warrior Diplomat’, based on the life of ‘Jassa Singh Ramgarhia’, Mr Virdi has made his maiden attempt at humour. “The idea came to me about a year back when I was travelling with my teenaged son, who insisted on buying a joke book as a travel companion,” said Mr Virdi, recalling the event that made him tap the funnier side of his personality. “As my son bought a Khushwant Singh joke book with my money, this ‘Laugh a Little — Jokes’ is a kind of revenge on Khushwant Singh for making me spend my hard-earned cash,” he added. The jokes Mr Virdi has compiled in his book are those which have been in circulation only through the word of mouth. “None of these are likely to be found in any other books or magazines or on the Internet,” explained Mr Virdi, as he talked about the importance of laughter in day-to-day life, which was possible only through good jokes. Mr Virdi has taken great care not to offend any particular community by targeting them in his book. The jokes are based on people from every walks of life — students, scientists, journalists, judges, professors, jailors, government officials, drivers and postmen. Published by the Writers’ Foundation, Chandigarh, the book is priced at Rs 85, not a heavy price for such a heavy dose of unadulterated laughter. |
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YOUNG VOICE WINNING seems to be a way of life with her. At the age of 14, Manasvi Mamgai is going strong. A dancer of promise, Manasvi already has about 10 reputed prizes to her credit. Ask her how important dance is to her and she minces no words in replying, "It is important enough. I don't mind going out of the city to learn the nuances of the classical dance form which I have chosen for myself." Manasvi is training with a guru of bharat natyam. Though there are not many trainers of this dance form in the city, this Hansraj Public School student has chosen bharat natyam for its grace and discipline. The interesting bit is that her talent is more natural and less honed. She has to her credit the best dancer 2001 award of the Lions Club, Dancer of the Year trophy awarded by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts and also the best dancer award by the Chandigarh Art Theatre. She also has many medals in skating, the best being the running trophy in V.L. Shah memorial All-India Open Skating championships. She is also the assistant editor of her school magazine, apart from being a prefect. |
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300 families attend Sood Mela Panchkula, February 3 The mela was well attended with about 300 families from all over the region converging here today. The programme began in a traditional way with a havan and a puja. Various competitions were organised here,
including athletics and other sports competitions for children, a fancy dress show, tambola , painting and cultural programmes. Lauding the efforts of the organisers, Mr Justice N.K. Sud of the Punjab and Haryana High Court said that such events
brought a cohesiveness in the community. Mr Manohar Lal Mohindra of Phagwara was awarded the Sood Rattan award for 2001 for his selfless service to the society. |
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Rohtak bags trophy at PNB cultural meet Chandigarh, February 3 |
What a way to demand damages! Zirakpur, February 3 The incident occurred on the Kalka-Ambala highway near the Yadvindra Bridge in Zirakpur in broad daylight yesterday. According to the scooterists, Mr Vikas Gupta of Chandigarh and Mr Amit Kumar of Panchkula, who were on their way to Chandigarh , the car hit their scooter from behind and the occupant then put a pistol on Mr Gupta’s temple before he controlled himself. He also threatened the public assembled on the scene them if they raised an alarm. The scooter was taken by him to a shop owned by their friend there for demanded money. Showing their presence of mind, they skipped from the shop taking the backdoor and informed the Bhabhat police post. He alleged the police personnel refused to attend to them as the incident had occurred in the area falling under the jurisdiction of the Lohgarh police post. After they reached the Lohgarh police post, the cops refused to register any complaint and denied to hand them over their scooter (UMV-6303) that was impounded. The police authorities at the Lohgarh police post were not available for comments. |
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Two held for chain snatching Chandigarh, February 3 According to the police, they were involved in 16 cases of chain snatching over the past nine months. They used a Priya scooter for committing the crimes, which was also seized by the police. Satpal was employed in a shop in Sector 35, while Ramesh was working at a shop in Sector 46. Yesterday they had reportedly tried to snatch a chain from a woman going on a rickshaw in Sector 38. Their first attempt was unsuccessful and in their second attempt the chain broke. The broken part of the chain was recovered from the duo.
Couple booked Two residents of Sector 29 were booked for allegedly harassing their daughter-in-law. In her complaint, Ms Sunita Rani maintained that after her husband, Vipin Kumar, died in January 2001, her in-laws threatened her and threw her out of their house, besides keeping all dowry items in their possession. The police registered a case under Sections 406, 498-A and 506 of the IPC.
Liquor seized A resident of Patiala, Mukhtiar Singh, was arrested near the Sector 46 petrol pump and 80 pouches of whisky were seized from his possession. The police registered a case under the Excise Act against him.
Woman nabbed A woman residing near the railway station was caught red-handed while she was trying to pick the pocket of a Panchkula resident, Mr Om Parkash Kamboj, in the PGI. The accused was identified as Savitri Devi. She was later handed over to the police, which arrested her and registered a case.
Scooterist hurt A Sector 42 resident, Davinder Singh, sustained minor injuries when his scooter was hit by a Maruti car near the Sector 39-40 crossing. The police registered a case.
Rs 40,000 stolen A Sector 39 resident, Ms Manju Dewan, reported that her purse containing Rs 40,000 was stolen from the Sector 15 market. A case was registered.
Theft reported A resident of Sector 18, Mr Hardeep Singh Bedi, lodged a complaint against a Sector 17 parking lot contractor after a video camera and a stereo were stolen from his car. The police registered a case. |
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