The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, May 18, 2002, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AHMEDGARH
STRIKE: All members of AITUC observed a strike in local offices of the PSEB. Union leaders Hari Datt, Nirbhai Singh, Madan Singh, Prem Balabh, Navrang Singh, Sukhcharanjit, Rajvir Singh, Jaswinder Singh and Kuldeep Singh criticised the management during protest rally held at 66 KV Grid.

LUDHIANA
EYES DONATED: The family of the late Bibi Inderjit Kaur, a resident of Dugri donated both her eyes after her sudden demise here recently. Dr Ramesh, Director Eye Bank Mansuran, in a press note on Thursday said that the family was motivated by Mr Balwant Singh Mohi, a social activist and a family friend. Dr Ramesh said that Mr Jagjit Singh, husband of Bibi Inderjit Kaur said people should come forward for the noble cause. Both the corneas were successfully transplanted onto two persons’ eyes here.

NGOs DISCUSS AIDS SPREAD: To discuss the spread of AIDS in Punjab, a team of doctors from UNAIDS held a meeting with nine NGOs of Punjab at Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle here today. The team, led by Dr Rajesh Kumar from New Delhi held a meeting with the volunteers of study circle, Aas Kiran Rehabilitation Centre from Hoshiarpur, Dr D.N. Kotnis Acupuncture Hospital, Youth engaged in Services Club, Jaycees Club, Guru Nanak Charitable Hospital from Mullanpur and International Council of Ayurveda. The team discussed the case studies of patients approaching the NGOs and the rehabilitation facilities available in the city. The doctors talked about ideas for further improvement of the facilities and new channels for grants for various projects to them. Earlier, the team visited various hospitals here and collected data of AIDS cases in the district. The team also visited the Transport Nagar to hold a meeting with the Truckers’ Union.

ATTACK CONDEMNED: The All India-Terrorist Front has condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu which claimed 30 lives including those of children. Terming the attack as a dastardly and heinous act state president Mr Jagmeet Singh Bawa and state general secretary Yogesh Dewan that the government must take measure to end the reign of terror in Jammu and Kashmir. They said that it had been proved beyond doubt that Pakistan was aiding and abetting terrorism in India, hence, it should be taught a lesson. The two leaders also expressed their dissent with media which called terrorists ‘militants’. By mentioning terrorists as militants we as by doing so were legitimating terrorism. Both leaders were also critical of Jammu & Kashmir’s National Conference Government.

COMPETITION: Castle Learning Centre, Sarabha Nagar, organised a competition for mothers of students taking regular coaching. As many as 51 participants were given questionnaires based on the unique bond shared between them and their children. Ms Satpal Grewal stood first, followed by Ms Sunanda Garg and Ms Dolly Chhabra. Ms Suzy George from Kundan Vidya Mandir, was the judge for the occasion. Ms Rima Juneja, director of the centre, gave prizes to the winners.

PRIZES FOR ALUMNUS: Ms Bimla Arora, an alumnus of the first batch of Department of Food and Nutrition of the Punjab Agricultural University, has received three awards this year. Giving this information, Dr S.K. Mann, Dean, College of Home Science, said that Ms Arora, who is working as the founder and director of Shemrock chain of schools, running 32 schools in northern India, has been adjudged as the winner of the PTA National Award, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Teachers’ Award and Indian Institute of Ecology Award.

INVITED: The International Fertiliser Development Center, Thailand, has invited Dr Malwinder Singh Malhi, a coordinator of an agricultural project, Sahyog, to deliver a lecture at a workshop on “Globalisation, privatisation and agricultural inputs markets: challenges and opportunities.” The workshop will be held in Thailand from June 10 to 14.

MOGA
AWARENESS CAMP: A seven-day camp on personal life insurance policies and traffic rules, organised by an insurance company, concluded here on Thursday. District Transport Officer S.S. Sidhu inaugurated the camp.

STOLEN: An employee of Mr Mohender Singh of Landeki village, Vijay Kumar, allegedly decamped with Rs 1.42 lakh and jewellery on Thursday. A case has been registered.

CHANDIGARH

INSTITUTE LAUNCHED: India hawks, a promoter of cultural activities, launched it’s Institute in Sector 44 here on Friday. The institute plans to launch professional as well as hobby courses in art, cultural education and sports. Ms Virender Banga, Director and Convener of the institute, said experts would be engaged by the institute to conduct courses in acting, theatre, aerobics, dances, music, painting, photography, Vastu Shastra and personality development. A cultural show was organised at the opening ceremony.

PANCHKULA
DC’S MEETING: Ms Jyoti Arora, the Deputy commissioner, when presiding over the monthly meeting of District Officers’ board here on Friday said officers should check their field subordinate staff twice a week. She directed the Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of Panchkula and Kalka besides all the Block Development Project Officers (BDPOs) to hold meetings with the officers of B and R, Market committee, National Highways, sarpanches and panches of various villages to review the construction and repair works of rural roads. The DC also directed the officers of UHVPN and Public Health Department (PWD) to persuade the electricity consumers to take full advantage of the new scheme of payment of pending electricity bills as well as house tax.

HARYANA

AMBALA
STABBED TO DEATH: The police has registered a case against Harmesh, a resident of Ambala City, for stabbing to death one of his relatives Fauja Devi last evening. According to information, Harmesh is the cousin of Sajan Singh, the husband of the deceased. Harmesh was residing along with Sajan. According to the Police, Harmesh and Fauja Devi went to attend a marriage at Patiala a few days ago where they quarrelled over some matter. After returning from the marriage, Harmesh reportedly stabbed Fauja Devi.

CASE REGISTERED: The Ambala Cantonment police has registered a case against unknown persons for stealing the hoarding of the Public Relation Department. The case was lodged on the complaint of DPRO, Ambala. The hoarding was placed near the Kali Paltan bridge at Ambala Cantonment.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

HAMIRPUR
CRITICISED: The President of the district Non-gazetted Services Federation, Mr Prem Chand Verma, has criticised the state-level leaders of the federation for postponing the meeting of the JCC with the state government. In a statement here on Thursday, he alleged that the leaders were adopting anti-employees policies.