The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Tuesday, December 24, 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

AMRITSAR
CONSUMER DAY: The District Food and Supply Department in collaboration with the local Consumer Welfare Forum, organised a consumer awareness camp on Sunday here to commemorate National Consumer Day at DAV Senior Secondary School. Mr Vijay Chopra, Chief Editor, Hind Samachar Group, Jalandhar, presided over the camp. Mr Chopra said that the government had implemented the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, for the protection of the rights of consumers but due to lack of information about it, people were not fully benefited by it.

ARRESTED: Four accused in the murder of Jatinder Kumar (24) were arrested here on Sunday. The murder took place on the night of December 15. The remaining six accomplices of the accused are yet to be arrested. Police sources said the arrested were identified as Akshay of Katra Suffaid, Ajay of Quila Bhangiyan, Vishal of Shakti Nagar and Sonu.

GURDASPUR
CHEMIST HELD: The local police on Monday arrested Deepak Kumar, owner of a chemist shop at Kahnuwan chowk here, for selling drugs to youth without a prescription by authorised medical officer in violation of the orders of the District Magistrate under Section 44, CrPC. A case under Section 188 IPC, has been registered against the accused.

HOSHIARPUR
ANTI-TERRORISM LOAN: Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, local Congress MP, has criticised Mr Parkash Singh Badal, former Chief Minister of Punjab, for “befooling” the people of the state by wrongly publicising the waiving off anti-terrorism loan by the Centre worth Rs 5,800 crore taken by Punjab. Mr Channi said on Sunday that Mr Badal’s government spent lakhs of rupees on advertisements for propagating the myth. He said though a decision was taken at the prime ministerial level five years ago to waive the loan but till date it had not been waived by the Central Government.

LUDHIANA
SAMAROH: The Mohalla Sudhar Committee of Sarpanch Colony, Jamalpur, held a religious samaroh on Sunday with the objective of constructing a gurdwara in the locality which was presided over by Mr Sewa Singh and Mr Ranjit Singh. The samaroh began with the conclusion of an Akhand Path in the morning. Among those present on the occasion included Mr Surinder Kumar, Mr Wariam Singh Lamba, Mr Gurdip Singh, Mr Sukhwant Singh Bedi, Mr Bunty and Mr Ravinder Kumar.

LECTURE: Fourth Jain Acharya Shri Shiv Muniji Maharaj along with his disciples visited the campus of Tagore Public School. He blessed the members of the Managing Committee, Principal, staff and students of the school. He gave a lecture on the principles of Jainism. He talked on the principle of ‘Vasudheva Kutumbkam’ which means the whole world is a family. He stressed on the brotherhood of man and emphasised that the education of today instead of bringing tension in a student’s life should provide him freedom. He further said that human beings could break the shackles of this worldly life through education only. He quoted Gandhiji and Vivekanand in his lecture and advised the students to follow their teachings. He gave due stress on the meditation and vegetarian food.

JAGRAN: The National Youth Club, Dashmesh Nagar, held its 2nd annual Bhagwati Jagran in street No. 8 of the locality on Sunday night at which Ganesh poojan was performed by Mr Prem Chand Duggal, a BJP leader, and the holy flame was lit by Mr Kashmir Singh Sheera, an Akali leader. The bhavan was inaugurated by Mr Amrik Singh Dhiman, an industrialist. Among others who attended the jagran were Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, Mr Anmol Tandon, Mr Rakesh Kapoor, Mr Lakhwinder Singh and Mr Deepak Jain.

ANNIVERSARY: The first death anniversary of Acharya Vijay Inder Surishwar Maharaj would be observed at the Jain Sthanak in Purana Bazar on December 25, according to Mr Ramesh Jain, president, Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha. Shri Divyanand ji Maharaj would give a meditation class on the occasion, he added.

SAMMELAN: The 12th Virat Bhakti Vedant Sammelan got under way at the Shri Shiv Shakti Mandir in Kidwai Nagar on Sunday under the supervision of Mahamandleshwar Swami Niranjanand. The poojan ceremony, marking the beginning of the sammelan, was jointly performed by Mr Ram Kanahiya, Mr Kapil Thapar and Ms Shakuntla Devi, The flag hoisting ceremony was performed by Mr. Harish Bedi. The sammelan concludes on December 29.

KATHA: Shrimadbhagwat Katha Gyan Yajna got under way at the Ram Dham Mandir in Sandip Nagar on Sunday. The yajna, which is being held by Shri Banke Bihari Sewa Parivar, is being presided over by Acharya Ramesh. Before the start of the yajna, a shobha yatra was taken out in the locality. Among those who participated in the shobha yatra were Lala Hakumat Rai Jain, on behalf of the management of Krishna Mandir in Shastri Nagar, Mr Rajiv Duggal of Gau Sewa Samiti, Mr Lalit Sapra, Mr Naval Kishore Chhibber, Mr Ram Nath Malhotra, Mr Varinder Sharma, Mr Janeshwar Jain, Mr Varinder Sood and Mr Kamal Sood. In his opening discourse, Acharya Ramesh highlighted the importance and relevance of the Bhagwat katha which would be held every day from 8 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm.

X-MAS PROCESSION: A shobha yatra was taken out from Holy Cross Church in Sarabha Nagar in connection with Christmas on Sunday. The shobha yatra, which passed through Ghumar Mandi, Krishna Nagar and Gurdev Nagar, comprised several tractor-trailers decorated with banners depicting Biblical messages and teachings. A number of men, dressed as Santa Claus, who accompanied the shobha yatra, distributed sweets and candies to the children participating in the yatra. A function was also held at the church near the CMC Hospital in connection with Christmas.

SHAHIDI PURB: A three-day ‘shahidi purb’ was organised at GTB National Public Senior Secondry, Dakha. Light on Guruji’s life and achievement was thrown on who sacrificed his life for other peoples’ faith, against the social and religious injustice of those times. Mr Balbir Singh, chairman of the school, presented the vote of thanks on the concluding day of the ‘shahidi purb’. In his presidential address, he laid emphasis on the teachings of oneness of God and the supreme sacrifices made by him and his followers. The Principal of the school, Ms Gurpreet Kaur Dhillon highlighted the achievements of the school.

YAADGIRI MELA: A cultural programme was organised by the Varinder Yaadgari Sabhyacharak Welfare Society, Mullanpur Dakha, on Sunday in the memory of the Producer-Director Varinder of Punjabi films. He was slain by terrorists at the shooting of ‘Jaat Te Zameen’. His wife, Pammi, was given the Varinder Yaadgari Award. More than 20 Punjabi singers had participated in the mela. This mela was organised under the guidance of chairman Surinder Singh Cheema, president Jagdev Johal of the association. Amrik Talwandi acted as a stage secretary.

AAO BUNE CONTEST: Aao Bune Knitting Contest was held on Monday in Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, Ludhiana. About 100 students participated in the contest. There were six categories from classes VI to XI. Students made beautiful and colourful patterns of wool. They made small purses, friendship bands, hair bands and pouches. Principal Neena Khanna appreciated the efforts of the students. The show was crafted on the guidelines given by the craft teacher, Ms Roop Ranjan Dharni. Ms Pommy Sharma and Ms Bakshi were the judges.

KVM EXCELS: An inter school maths olympiad which was held on November 11, 2002, the results were declared on Sunday. Students from classes X and XII of various schools had participated in this multiple choice based test. The main aim of the test was to encourage competitive spirit amongst students and produce mathematicians. The overall trophy was won by Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, Ludhiana. Results are as follow:- Class-X: Ist-Sameer Jain KVM, Civil Lines, 2nd - Roohi Sood KVM, Civil Lines, 3rd- Saurabh Chalana Tagore Public School: Overall trophy: Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, Ludhiana; Class XII: Ist- Anandeep Singh KVM, Civil Lines, 2nd - Madhur KVM, Civil Lines.

NABHA
MEDICAL CAMP: A medical check-up camp was organised at Bagrian village, 12 km from here, on Sunday. The camp was organised by the village panchayat in association with Sigma Labs, Mumbai. The patients were given medicines free of cost.

PHAGWARA
ENVIRONMENT MELA: A two-day environment mela organised by the local Environment Association with the cooperation of 24 NGOs concluded here on Sunday evening. In a display of community policing, the local traffic police put up a traffic stall in the mela and distributed about 3,000 booklets on traffic rules to public free of cost. The local police also organised a nasha virodhi rally with the involvement of school and college students and the youth. The Jaycees held a blood donation camp in which 22 units of blood were collected.

ROPAR
RELEASED: The Punjab Government has released Rs 12.74 crore for various development schemes to be implemented in the district through the District Planning and Development Board. This was stated by the Transport Minister-cum-Chairman of the board, Mr Tej Prakash, after chairing a meeting of the board here on Monday.

CHANDIGARH

OLD STUDENTS’ MEET: As many as 250 former and present students attended a dance and dinner party organised by the staff of the D.A.V. Public School, Sector 8C, Chandigarh, on Sunday. This was the first get-together organised by the newly-formed DAV Old Student Association. According to Ms Sarita Manuja, Principal of the school, the main objective of holding the get together was to give an opportunity to the old students of the school to cherish the memories of past and share their present with their batchmates at least once a year.

LAUNCHED: EPCOS (Electronics Parts and Components) India Pvt Limited, which is a 100 per cent subsidiary of EPCOS AG, a joint venture company of Siemens AG and Matsushita of Japan, organised a technical seminar on energy saving LT Power Factor Correction Capacitors in Chandigarh on Saturday. The company also launched new range of harmonic filters and APFC Relays in this area.

EXHIBITION: Students of the Government Central Craft Institute for Women, Sector 11, organised an exhibition of handicraft items on the college premises here on Monday. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd). Students of different departments like sewing and cutting, embroidery, leather goods and dress making exhibited their creations. About 500 students took part in the exhibition.

RALLY: As many as 500 schoolchildren and 300 devotees are expected to participate in a rally on the eve of Christmas being organised by Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It will start from Government Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 37-B at 2 pm and cover 5 km passing through Sectors 37, 38, 40 and 41. The rally will comprise more than a dozen contingent. Children from different urban schools and nearby villages including Behlana, Palsora Colony, Maloya, Khuda Lahora, Dhanas, Bapudham Colony and Colony No 5 will also participate in the rally. These villages have been adopted by Chandigarh Organisation for educational, spiritual and other activities.

SAS NAGAR
WINTER CAMP: Swar Aanchal is going to organise a five-day winter camp from December 28 for children between the age group of 7 to 12 years. Dr G. Kaur Nanda, Chairperson of the local unit of the National Sahitya Academy, said on Monday the camp would include activities like painting, dancing, singing and creative writing.

PANCHKULA
ANNUAL FUNCTION: A colourful and impressive cultural show was presented by the staff and students of DAV Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 8, during their annual day function on Monday. A lively gypsy dance, aerobics and yoga demonstrations were also presented. Qawalli was the main highlight, with children wearing the traditional dress and clapping hands in full coordination. Later, prizes were distributed to the students by the Principal, Ms Santosh Bhandari.

HARYANA

AMBALA
CHEMISTS’ BODY: The Haryana State Chemists and Druggists Association has sought rethinking on the imposition of new sales tax on medicines. A delegation of the association, under the leadership of Mr R.K. Khera, met the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, in this regard.

OPPOSED: The Science Apparatus Manufacturers Association on Monday opposed the professional tax levied on them. The association observed that Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar was recovering professional tax from them but they did not come under the tax order. “It is clear in the order that Rs 2,500 will be recovered every year from those units which have more than 10 employees. Even small shopkeepers are being sent notices,” a press note said. They demanded tax notice should not be sent to the units that had less than 10 employees. They also demanded that the tax recovered from small units should be returned.

ELECTED: A meeting of Ambala Cantt unit of the Indian Homoeopathic Organisation was held under the presidentship of Dr Harprakash Sharma on Monday. The new office-bearers are: president — Dr Shiv Dayal Gupta; vice-president — Dr Brij Mohan Sharma; secretary — Dr Amar C. Srivastava; assistant secretary — Dr D.L. Dhall; organising secretary — Dr R.M. Sharma; and treasurer — Dr O.P. Sehgal.

NSS CAMPS: National Service Scheme camps are being organised by SD College as well as Government College. On the second day of the 10-day NSS camp organised by SD College, a cleanliness drive was undertaken at the cremation ground. Volunteers worked under the supervision of the programme officers, Dr S.P. Sharma, Dr Sunil Kumar and Ms Harroop Virk. In the evening session, a discussion on AIDS was held. Volunteers also expressed their views. Government College, Ambala Cantt volunteer worked in a slum area under the guidance of programme officer Hemant Verma. The volunteers undertook a cleanliness drive in Bandu Nagar and encouraged the local residents to maintain hygiene.

FATEHABAD
HORTICULTURE: The Deputy Commissioner here, Dr R. B. Langyaan, has set a target for the Horticulture Department to set up one garden each in the blocks of the district by the end of the current financial year. The Fisheries Department has also been asked to set a target of setting up two ponds for agriculture in each block of the district during this period. The Deputy Commissioner has asked the bankers to cooperate with these departments in achieving their targets.

MUSICAL SHOW: Punjabi singer Harbhajan Mann enthralled the audience at a programme organised at the new vegetable market here on Saturday. The programme was organised by the local Tycoon Charitable Trust. The Deputy Commissioner, Dr R.B. Langyaan, and the Superintendent of Police, Mr K.K. Rao, were present on the occasion.

KURUKSHETRA
MDS COURSE: The counselling for admission to MDS course for the session 2002-2003 in Government Dental College, Rohtak and DAV Centenary Dental College, Yamunanagar, will be held in the Senate Hall of the Kurukshetra University auditorium at 10 a.m. on December 30. This was stated by Dr Amar Singh, Dean of Colleges, Kurukshetra University, here on Saturday.

YAMUNANAGAR
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Mohyal Sabha: president — Mr Vipin Mohan; vice-president — Mr Vinod Dutta; general secretary — Mr Vinod Mehta; organising secretary — Mr Rajeev Mehta; joint secretary — Mr Vinod Bali; and treasurer — Mr C.K. Dutta.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
FREEDOM FIGHTERS DAY: Prominent citizens and leaders of various political parties organised a freedom fighters memorial day here on Sunday under the aegis of “Swatantarta Senani Pandit Harikrishan Memorial Trust. Led by a prominent freedom fighter, Mr R.L. Sharma, people paid tributes to 96 Praja Mandal and INA freedom fighters from the district in the then princely state of Bilaspur under the banner of the Praja Mandal here and other adjoining hill states.

CHAMBA
EMBEZZLEMENT: The Kihar police has registered a case against Raj Kumar, an employee posted at the Tekla branch of Parvatiya Gramin Bank here on the charge of misappropriation of the amount taken as deposit from the customers. Stating this here on Monday Mr Ajay Yadav, Superintendent of Police, said the case was registered on a complaint of the branch manager of the bank at Tekla against Raj Kumar, a clerk-cum-cashier in the bank. A case has been registered under Section 409 of the IPC.

VETERINARIANS’ DEMAND: The Himachal Pradesh Veterinarians’ Association has accused the Himachal Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, for the stepmotherly treatment meted out to the veterinary doctors in the state ignoring their pending demand concerning the non-practising allowance (NPA). In a press note issued here today, Dr Devinder Kumar Soni, district secretary of the association, criticised the state government for its empty assurances about amending the non-practising allowance of veterinary doctors.

MANDI
PATWARIS’ RALLY: The state unit of the Patwaris and Kanoongos Sangh held a demonstration and a rally here on Sunday. They marched through the streets of the town raising slogans in support of their demands, which include the designation of its members as rural revenue officers.

PAONTA SAHIB
KAVI DARBAR HELD: A Kavi darbar was held at Gurdwara Kirpal Shilla, Devinagar, Paonta Sahib by Shobha Singh Memorial Foundation, Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur). The Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, Mr Onkar Sharma, was the chief guest and Mr C.R.B. Lalit, Settlement Commissioner, HP ,and Mr Rattan Singh M.L.A., Paonta Sahib were the guests of honour.

SHIMLA
HVC CANDIDATE: Mr Rajpal Chauhan will be the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) candidate from the Jubbal-Kotkhai Assembly constituency. This was stated by the HVC supremo, Mr Sukh Ram, at a party rally at Kotkhai on Saturday. Mr Chauhan was earlier the zila parishad member from this constituency. Mr Sukh Ram said his party was on a strong footing in Shimla district and would emerge as the dark horse in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

UNA
JUDICIAL EMPLOYEES: A meeting of the HP Judicial Employees Welfare Association was held here on Sunday under the chairmanship of Mr Suresh Thakur. The association had served a notice on the Himachal Pradesh Government through the high court for accepting their demands. However, so far, no action had been taken by the state government. The meeting was attended by about 150 members of the association. A rally was also held.