Joshi for Indianising Internet
Stone laid for Sanskrit Academy
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 27
Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Human Resources Minister, today appealed to people to Indianise the Internet by adapting it to Indian languages. He said he had also been urging the chief ministers of various states to rise to the occasion and focus on the use of Indian langugages on the Internet.

He said while he was happy with the proliferation of information technology in the country, the excessive dependence on Internet would ultimately cut off the Indian users from their own roots because the language of Internet was English. If the future generation of Indians would learn only English and ignore Indian languages, it would gradually destroy the distinct identity of Indians, he added.

Mr Joshi, who was at Panchkula today to take part in a function to honour litterateurs of Hindi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Haryanvi, said globalisation was the buzzword now and the emphasis was on creating a single type and to evolve a uniform culture all over the globe. “But I am not happy as this process will eventually finish all diversities of culture. This will be a particularly painful thing to happen in the world of art and literature,” he said.

Mr Joshi, who also laid the foundation stone of Sanskrit Academy at the Mansa Devi Complex here, said there would not be any dearth of support for the project. He said it was the policy of the Central Government to bolster any initiative to promote Sanskrit or any other thing related to it. He also urged the Chief Minister to complete the project at the earliest.

He said Hindi was a link language of entire India and similarly English was linking India to the world. Sanskrit on the other hand could link human beings to the universe, Mr Joshi said. He said works on almost every branch of knowledge, from mathematics to as far as eroticas, could be found in Sanskrit.

Mr Om Prakash Chautala in his brief speech urged the minister to liberally fund the Sanskrit Academy project.

Ms Satwanti Ahlawat, Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula, said the proposed Sanskrit Academy would also have a museum adjacent to it. The museum, spread over 1.5 acre, would have replicas of various incarnations of the mother goddess from all over the globe. The museum would also have artefacts of tantra rituals, a library and so on, she said.

Earlier, Mr Joshi, chief guest of the function, and Mr Chautala, who presided over the event, jointly presented awards to writers from the fields of Hindi, Sanskrit, Punjabi and Haryanvi literature. These included: Mr Swadesh Deepak, Mr Baijnath Singhal, Mr Liladhar Viyogi, Mr Hem Raj Nirmam (Hindi); Mr Om Prakash Bhardwaj (Sanskrit); Mr Jaynarayan Kaushik, for his research on folk arts of Haryana; and Mr Harbhajan Singh Komal and Harbhajan Singh Renu and Ms Harkamal Kaur for their contribution to Punjabi literature.

Mr Chandra Trikha, Director of the Haryana Sahitya Academy, was the compere of the function which was organised by the academy.

Joshi dismisses Aryan invasion theory
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
Union Human Resource Development, Science and Technology and Oceanography Minister Murali Manohar Joshi here today demolished the Aryan invasion theory in history on the basis of recent evidences collected through oceanography, excavation and satellite mapping.

Addressing party workers here at the Technical Teachers Training Institute (TTTI), Dr Joshi said India had now proved to be the purveyor of culture in the world, with carbon dating investigations by the Oceanography Department and independent investigations in Germany establishing the existence of a 9,500 cultures in sea at Khambat near Dwarika.

The minister said these were evidences of the oldest culture of the world and now the department had got a lot of proposals from the international community to collaborate in the investigation of this crucial spot.

He said the evidences collected, dismissing the Aryan invasion theory, had run down the edifice of communists and “others” who had been swayed by leftist historical colour.

The minister quoted Ishopnishad to prove that Sikhism had endorsed Ek Onkar, Nirgun and “use the worldly assets through division” had found references in the Upanishads.

He said if his efforts to trash the historical theories that were showing Indian culture as weaker to others, dividing the country, and wrongly depicting great sons of the soil were objectionable, he would continue his so-called saffronisation in text-books.

Dr Joshi said the Aryan invasion theory had been rejected, with the establishment of the existence of the Saraswati river at least 2000 years before the Harappan culture.

Addressing the workers, who had grown restless due to a delay of four hours in his schedule, Dr Joshi said how could there be a mention of the Saraswati river in the Vedas when carbon dating proved that the river, flowing 2000 years before the Harappan culture, had vanished

Dr Joshi had took a dig at the Congress, saying that a committee on the, National Flag comprising Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Maulana Azad and others had said that the Tricolour had a communal colour and had recommended that the colour of the National Flag should be saffron.

The minister said the direction of studies were now aimed at scientifically establishing that Indian culture was amongst the oldest and most advanced, which would give the country confidence to be the world leaders in the future.

The gathering was briefly addressed by BJP national executive member Satyapal Jain and BJP leader Yashpal Mahajan.

The function was marred by the police “taking away” 33 Chandigarh Youth Congress workers from the TTTI to the Sector 26 police station for trying to give a memorandum to Dr Joshi to remove Mr Yashpal Mahajan from the Chairmanship of the TTTI and to order an inquiry into the recruitment recommended by him.

Congress MP Pawan Bansal alleged that the Chandigarh Administration was working at the behest of the BJP-led Central Government and warned that if the democratic rights of the people were curtailed, the party would think of an agitation.

School dedicated to residents
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
The Union Human Resource Development, Science and Technology Minister, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, accompanied by the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, today dedicated the first Government Model School in the district to the people. He also laid the foundation stones of a Teachers’ Home in Sector 7, Sanskrit Bhavan and Theme Museum in Mansa Devi Complex.

The school, situated in Sector 12-A, has been constructed on a 5.5-acre piece of land with a covered area of 22,000 square feet. 

Hike in cable tariff likely
Channels set to encash World Cup mania
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 27
With the Cricket World Cup mania all set to catch up with the sports buffs from February 8, cable users in the region are in for yet another hike in cable tariff . Most of the pay channels, led by Sony TV — which has the exclusive rights to the World Cup — have hiked their subscription rates.

Sources in the cable industry say that with each of the five pay channel packages hiking the rates by anything between Rs 3 to Rs 15 per subscription a month, the cable tariff hike in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar is expected to be anything between Rs 40 to Rs 50 per month, thus totalling to Rs 275 in Chandigarh and about Rs 300 in Panchkula. A meeting of various cable operators to discuss the hike in Panchkula is scheduled for tomorrow.

It is learnt that while the Sony package had increased its subscription from Rs 40 to Rs 55 per connection, after including HBO channel in its package (the said channel was earlier a part of Zee package). Star Sports-ESPN package had increased its subscription per connection from Rs 24 to Rs 32, and the Zee package had increased its subscription from Rs 42 to Rs 50 last month. Now, the Star package has followed suit by increasing their charges from Rs 40.50 to Rs 63 per month; and DD Sports-Ten Sports has increased its monthly charges from Rs 22.75 to Rs 26.55.

Sources in the industry inform that the Star package had given an alternative to operators by asking the cable operators to increase their connectivity to double ( number of cable connections) at the old rate of Rs 30 or increase the monthly charges per connection to Rs 63.

Cable tariff here had been increased from Rs 165 to Rs 200 in January last year, following hike in connectivity charges to the operators by the pay channels. In February, the rates were again hiked to Rs 225 and in June, rates increased to Rs 275.

Cable operators say they are now left with no choice but to increase the cable tariff or to drop any one of the packages so as to keep the tariff at the present price of Rs 250 to Rs 275 per connection. In fact, in southern sectors of Chandigarh and a few phases in SAS Nagar — the operators have excluded various pay packages and brought down the tariff between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per month.

Last year Star Plus became the first to turn into a pay channel , charging a subscription fee of Rs 15 per connection. Later, they introduced their package at Rs 30 per connection. This was followed by Zee TV and Sony TV. Now there are five packages of different broadcasters that are charging subscription fees between Rs 26 to Rs 63 per month. 

42 commercial sites auctioned
Tribune News Service

The previous one was held on December 16. Today’s collection was about 34 per cent over and above the reserve price of these plots that was fixed at Rs 17.73 crore for these 42 commercial sites. The Estate Office wing held back 29 sites due to lack of good bids.

The average price, in today's auction, on a per square yard basis, works out to be Rs 55,432 per square yard. In December, the average price was Rs 56,402. This time a total of 4,451 square yards of land were auctioned. Land auctioned under various plot sizes from booths to SCOs and godown sites have been taken into account while calculating this average rate, explained officials of the Estate Office. The Assistant Estate Officer, Mr Ashwani Kumar, said there had been an increase in demand since the amendment to the Rent Act.

One of the highest bids was in the category of SCOs. A three bay SCO in Sector 34 was auctioned for Rs 3.37 crore. Also on auction were two bay SCOs in Sector 22. One was bid for Rs 2.48 crore and another one was sold off for Rs 2.40 crore. The reserve price for these was Rs 1.84 crore. Considering the size of these SCOs the average price on per square yard basis for one SCO works out to be Rs 79, 734.

Patriotic fervour marks R-Day
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
Patriotic fervour and enthusiasm marked the celebration of the 54th Republic Day in various city schools and colleges, with staff members as well as students congregating in their respective institutes to unfurl the Tricolour.

At the Panjab University campus, hoisting the National Flag, exchange of greetings, singing patriotic songs and distribution of sweets formed a part of the celebrations. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof K.N. Pathak called upon the university fraternity to take a pledge to introspect and re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and society.

Government College, Sector 46: At Government College, Sector 46, the National Flag was unfurled by the principal, Mr S.C. Nijhawan followed by march past by NCC cadets and NSS volunteers. Prof A.K. Mathur, who reminded the gathering of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. The Principal, called upon the students to work unitedly for peace and the integrity of the country.

Deep Public school: A magic show, demonstration of martial arts skill and a cultural programme marked the celebrations at Deep Public school, Mauli Jagran. The Tricolour was unfurled by Mr Tarun Bhandari, corporator from the Panchkula Municipal Corporation. who was the chief guest.

Lotus Foundation: A painting competition for students of Apna School as well as for slum children of Bhagat Singh and Guru Nanak colonies was organised by the Lotus Foundation, a charitable trust, to mark the day. Patriotic songs were also sung. Prizes were given to Zeenat ad Parvati for best painting and best song recitation, respectively.

Government High School, Mauli Jagran: At Government High School, Mauli Jagran Colony, staff and students of all three shifts running in the school, attended the Republic Day celebrations. A cultural programme was organised to mark the occasion. The PTA President, Mr M.P. Chaurasia, along with the Principal, Mr H.K. Sharma unfurled the national flag.

Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, Chandigarh: The Republic Day was celebrated in the institute campus with fervour and zeal. The National Flag was hoisted which was followed by a community breakfast.

Kendriya Vidyalaya, 3 BRD, Air Force Station: A variety programme was organised. Traditional rangoli, flower arrangement, images of 2002 were the items prepared by the schoolchildren to mark the day. Decked in colourful costumes, tiny tots presented a glimpse of Indian folk dances.

Government College (Boys) Sector 11: The day was celebrated with patriotic zeal at Government College in Sector 11. The college Principal, Mr Balvinder Singh, unfurled the Tricolour on the occasion. The cadets of the National Cadet Corps and volunteers of NSS paid tributes to the martyrs.

Guru Nanak Khalsa Senior Secondary School (Sector 30-B): The GNK Senior Secondary School celebrated the day with pomp and gaiety in the school campus. The function was marked by a march past as well as a colourful cultural programme. The Principal of the school, Mrs Tripat Singh, hoisted the National Flag and took a pledge with the students and staff members for the allegiance to the Flag.

Air Force School: Air Cmde Arun Gopinath, Air Office Commanding (AOC) was the chief guest and he unfurled the National Flag. A large number of senior officers of the station and parents attended the function. Patriotic songs, folk dances and tableaux of leaders were presented by the children.

Govt Senior School, Karsan: Students and the staff of Govt Senior Secondary School, Karsan celebrated the day on Sunday with great enthusiasm. Principal D.P.Singh hoisted the Flag and Dr Satpal Goel, chief guest of the function, gave away the prizes to students. A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the students

State Bank of Patiala: Employees of the State Bank of Patiala here celebrated the 54th Republic Day with great fervour. Mr V.A Ghai, Assistant General Manager hoisted the flag and later distributed the sweets. Employees from SAS Nagar and Panchkula branches also participated in the function.

Vishwakarma school: Students and teachers of the Vishvakarma M.R.D Model School celebrated the day with great enthusiasm, Mrs Raka Rashid, Regional Director, Commonwealth, Youth Programme, Asia Centre, Chandigarh, was the chief guest.

Ajit Karam Singh School: Students of Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 47-B organised a function to celebrate the Republic Day. It helped students to revive memories of the momentous occasion to implement our Constitution.

Govt High School, Sector 38: Republic Day was celebrated in Government High School, Sector-38 in the premises on January 26. A cultural programme was presented on the occasion which included patriotic songs and skits.

Tamil Welfare Association: The Senior Manager, Canara Bank, Mr Rajan, unfurled the National Flag at the Republic Day function organised by Tamil Welfare Association at Mauli Jagran here.

Mazdoor Sudhar Sabha: The Mazdoor Sudhar Sabha celebrated the Republic Day at Sector 32 and its President, Mr Ram Avtar, unfurled the National Flag. Those present on the occasion included Mr Lalit Mohan, Ms Parkash Wati and Ms Neha.

Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33: Children and staff of the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33 celebrated the day with great fervour on the school premises. NSS volunteers and scouts of the school presented a march past. School students who had never missed school during the current academic session were honoured with silver medals.

Government High School, Sector 43: The day was also celebrated by children and staff of the Government Model High School, Sector 43A on the school premises. The Headmaster, Mr H.M. Bir Singh, hoisted the flag. Mr R.L. Sabharwal, Member, Lok Adalat, Mr S.S Johar, President of the PTA and Ms Anita Pandey, a teacher of the school also spoke on the occasion.

PGIMER: Twenty house surgeons have been selected to help consultants in running the evening OPD, the Director of the PGI, Dr S.K. Sharma, said after unfurling the National Flag at the institute premises on Sunday as a part of Republic Day celebrations.

Addressing the gathering, he said the house surgeons would assist the consultants, apart from performing their normal duties. The placement of 25 professors to higher grade of senior officers had been cleared by the governing body and was now under consideration of the Centre.

He added that a proposal for the creation of posts, including six faculty members, 20 senior residents, 20 junior residents and 25 paramedical staff, had already been cleared by the Standing Finance Committee and was waiting the approval of the Centre. Dr S.K. Sharma also presented artificial limbs, fabricated by the prosthetic section of the Physiotherapy Department, to two PGI employees, Sweets were distributed to the employees and their children at the function.

Adult Education Centre: A cultural programme was also organised by the Continuing Adult Education Centre (Number 11) at Harijan Dharamshala in Barheri village. The programme comprised patriotic songs and skits. The Deputy Director of Adult Education, Ms Sudesh Kalra, was the chief guest.

GMCH, Sector 32: The Centre has cleared 52 faculty posts for the institution and a de-addiction centre, along with genetic laboratory was complete and will be operational by April-end, said Director Principal of Sector 32 Government Medical College and Hospital, Prof S.B.S. Mann after unfurling the National Flag on the hospital premises.

The Director Principal, also awarded commendation certificates and cash to the regular and contract employees who had rendered outstanding services in their respective fields.

Prof Mann said out of 207 posts of Group A, B, C and D 200 posts have been cleared by the screening committee.

Celebrations at HC: "Everyone is having great expectations from the judiciary and we must honestly endeavour not to belie that faith," Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Mr Justice Binod Kumar Roy, asserted at the Republic Day celebrations held on the High Court premises here on Sunday.

PNB: The Zonal Manager of Punjab National Bank’s northern zone, Mr Harwant Singh, unfurled the National Flag in front of the PNB house in Sector 17 on Republic Day. The function was attended by all the senior officers, along with the branch manager and the staff.

PANCHKULA

The Commissioner, Ambala Range, Mr Maha Singh, reviewed the parade and unfurled the National Flag on the Republic Day celebrations held at Cricket Grounds on Sunday.

Haryana Police personnel, Home Guards, NCC junior and senior wing cadets, scouts , guides and volunteers presented an impressive march past and PT show on the occasion. Students of Jainendra Public School, Haryana Model School, DAV Public School presented cultural programmes , with students of Jainendra Public School being awarded Rs. 5100 for their awesome performance. Various state departments had also put up tableaux , which were taken out to mark the day.

In Government College students, NCC cadets, scouts and guides organised a cultural function on Republic Day.

Republic Day was also celebrated with great fervour at the State Bank of India, Staff Training Centre. The National Flag was unfurled by Assistant General Manager, Mr Ravi Bansal.

KALKA

The Kalka SDM, Mr Sushil Sarwan, presided over the sub-divisional level Republic Day celebrations and unfurled the National Flag at the Government College grounds here. He also took salute from Haryana Police jawans, besides students of various schools.

SAS NAGAR

More than 900 students of the township participated in the colourful and impressive Republic day Celebrations held at the Government Senior Secondary School, Phase 3B1 here, on Sunday.

The SDM, SAS Nagar, Mr Darshan Singh Sandhu unfurled the Tricolour.

More than 10 SAS Nagar policemen were honoured on the occasion. These included Mr Pritam Singh Bedi, Mr Ramandeep Singh, Mr Avtar Singh, Mr Kulwinder Singh, Mr Balwinder Singh, Mr Nichattar Singh, Mr Satprakash, Mr Mahinder Singh, Mr Jaspal Singh, Mr Jaswinder Singh, Mr Ram Kishan, Mr Raj Kumar, Mr Varinder Singh, Mr Rajpal Singh Gill and Mr Kulwinder Singh. Mr Balbir Singh of the State Institute of Science Education Punjab was also honoured on the occasion.

The SDM also released the Government Senior Secondary School, Phase 3BI, magazine "Mahek" on the occasion.

The day was celebrated at Shivalik Public school here. The Director Principal, Mr D.S. Bedi, unfurled the flag.

Students of DAV Public School SAS Nagar celebrated the day with great enthusiasm. School Principal, Ms Jay Bhardwaj unfurled the Tricolour.

Administrator promises better amenities
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
Water and power supply to the city will be augmented, said Mr Virendra Singh, Adviser to the UT Administrator, while speaking at the Republic Day function held at the Parade Grounds, Sector 17, here yesterday. He highlighted the achievements of the Chandigarh Administration in the past one year.

A scheme to augmentate water supply will be completed by 2005 and this will increase the availability of water to 79 million gallons a day. On the power front agreements for an additional 73 MW have been signed with the National Thermal Power Corporation and Naptha Jakhri power project. Further grid sub-stations are being upgraded to improve the reliability of power supply, especially to the southern sectors.

The work on Chandigarh Technology Park has gathered momentum with Infosys Technologies signing an MoU with the Chandigarh Administration for setting up a Software Development Centre. It is expected that this centre alone would house 2400 IT professionals and help promote development.

To improve and upgrade the existing health facilities a full fledged emergency complex consisting of 16-bed air conditioned emergency unit with an attached 7-bed CCU/ICU and Operation Theatre has been commissioned in the General Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh. A trauma unit with 13 beds and 24-hour emergency facility also started functioning. The polyclinic in Sector 22 has been upgraded to a Community Health Centre. A 50-bed Community Health Centre at Manimajra has been made operational. Further, a 30-bed Gynae and Obstetrics Wing has been established in Government Medical College Hospital, Sector-32.

Soon 70 old buses of the CTU will be replaced with new Euro-II buses. The Administration has recruited 450 teachers recently to improve and upgrade the existing government schools. Computer education has started in government schools to impart computer skills.

Importantly, the Adviser said the Administration whole- heartedly recommended the adoption of the Delhi Finance Commission’s recommendations regarding the devolution of funds to the Municipal Corporation.

Efforts are on to introduce battery operated vehicles in the city in phases to reduce the pollution load. Emphasis is being laid on the reduction of noise pollution, checking the usage and manufacture of polybags.

The Chandigarh Housing Board would soon be completing 1,000 tenements in Sector 56 which would be useful for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers. As many as 736 dwelling units of Category I and II are under construction by the Chandigarh Housing Board in Sector 51-A. More than 100 acres in Sector 53, 54 and 55 have been earmarked for housing schemes of different categories.

Jacob interviews 3 for DC’s post
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
The UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), today interviewed three IAS officials of the Haryana cadre for the post of Deputy Commissioner. The three — Mr Arun Kumar , (1989 batch); Mr Abhilaksh Likhi, (1991 batch) and Mr R.K. Rao (1991 batch) — presented their achievements.

The names of those selected will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for formal approval. The tenure of the present Deputy Commissioner, Mr M. Ramsekhar ends in March. He has been here for the past four years. Out of the three interviewed Mr R.K. Rao has served as Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, for a period of eight months when Mr K.K. Khandelwal was repatriated and Mr Ramsekhar was yet to be posted in.

Scooterist dies in highway mishap
Our Correspondent

Lalru, January 27
One person was killed another was injured seriously in an accident involving a Haryana Roadways bus, a tractor-trailer and a scooter on the busy Kalka-Ambala highway near here this morning.

The scooterist Mr Sandeep Kumar, an employee of the Nahar Group of Industries, died on the spot and while Mr Chamkaur Singh, driver of the tractor-trailer, sustained severe injuries in the accident. The scooterist reportedly died on the spot after the bus (HR-57- 0915) that was on its way from Chandigarh to Sirsa first collided with the tractor-trailer (PCM-1408) and then collided head-on with the scooter (HR-19-0087) approaching from the opposite direction.

According to an eyewitness, the driver of the tractor-trailer lost control over the vehicles after a front tyre of the right side came off. The bus following the tractor-trailer rammed into the it from the right side. The scooter coming from the opposite direction was mowed down by the bus leaving Sandeep Kumar dead on the spot.

The tractor-trailer was carrying three buffaloes to a cattle fair at the Lalru mandi.

Chamkaur Singh, the tractor driver, sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi. His condition is stated to be serious.

The police said the bus driver fled from the scene after the incident. Some officials from the victim’s factor reached the spot and identified the deceased. Hailing from Jhajjar district of Haryana, Sandeep was residing with in the factory premises. He was employed with the factory for the last couple of years as a fitter.

Following the accident, the traffic on the highway was disrupted for over 30 minutes. The bus passengers were put to great hardship for over an hour. They had to take other buses to reach their destinations. The body was later sent to Civil Hospital, Rajpura, for post-mortem examination. After impounding the vehicles, a case was registered. 

COMMUNITY

ASSAULT BY DSP’S SON
SP to probe case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
A departmental inquiry into an incident of assault by Sanjeev, alias Sonu, son of UT DSP, on a resident of Sector 38 has been referred back by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Guarav Yadav, to the Superintendent of Police (City), Mr Baldev Singh.

In the earlier inquiry submitted to the SSP by the SP( City), it had been indicated that the section of attempt to murder included in the FIR was not required. However, the other aspects of the case were found to be correct. A case under Sections 307, 452, 323, 147 and 148 of the IPC was registered against Sanjeev on December 8 last.

Sources said the inquiry report had been referred to the legal cell for comments. It is learnt that the DSP (Home Guards), Mr Om Parkash, had in his plea to the senior officials, alleged that his son had been implicated due to his professional rivalry with Mr K.I.P. Singh, SHO of the Sector 39 police station.

The DSP had alleged that the SHO had shown undue haste in putting up the challan before the court. It is learnt that the senior officials had rebuked the two officials and directed them to resolve the issue amicably.

The victims, Anant and his brother-in-law, Achhardeep Singh, had alleged that Sanjeev along with his five or six friends, had allegedly attacked them at their Sector 38 residence with sharp-edged weapons, due to which Anant suffered a head injury.

Acting on the information, officials of the Sector 39 police station arrested Sanjeev, son of DSP, Om Parkash. The injured have been admitted to General Hospital, Sector 16. The reason behind the alleged attack was said to be Sanjeev’s affair with girl living in the neighbourhood of Anant.

INLD-BJP alliance likely in MC
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 27
The Indian National Lok Dal and the BJP could have a alliance in the newly constituted Municipal Council here, thus paving way for the INLD to gain a final control over the first civic body here.

The presence of the three BJP Municipal Councillors at the meeting called by former minister Kanti Prakash Bhalla and the State Secretary of INLD, Mr Amardeep Chaudhary, gave an indication of a possible union today. Though these three councillors — Mr C.B. Goel, Mr V.K. Sood and Mrs Jagdamba Gupta, said the issue of supporting the INLD rested with the state party high command, INLD leaders claimed that since the two parties were part of the National Democratic Alliance in the Centre and also had an alliance in the state, they would join hands for forming the MC here.

Mr Kanti Prakash Bhalla, while rubbishing the Congress' claim for electing their own President by claiming two-thirds majority, when they had boycotted the polls, said the INLD would elect its own President. " By February 15, we would have more than 20 councillors ( out of 31 councillors) supporting us, " he said.

When asked about the total number of INLD councillors elected to power, Mr Bhalla said as of now there were 12 councillors of the party. How the party hopes to get four more councillors to its side for getting two-thirds majority, however, remains to be seen.

Telecom engineers hold rally
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
Members of the Telecom Engineering Officers Association, India, TEOA (I), organised a protest rally here today, to press upon their demands. Addressing the rally, Mr Vivek Ahuja, District President of the union, said,‘‘ The department should provide at least WiLL mobiles to all JTOs/SDEs in the interest of service since all DGMs have been already given mobile phones for official work.’’

He asked the management, what was the logic for heavy amount for the ‘unnecessary police security’ deployed at the Sector 18 office, despite the fact that no cash was being handled in the building. Mr Ahuja lamented that JTOs and SDEs were not even provided with adequate number of chairs and other furniture for working in the offices. Further, there was shortage of staff at the Zirakpur and Dera Bassi offices.

Mr Amarjit Singh, District Secretary of the union, urged the management to provide computers to all SDEs and to arrange for the necessary training for them. About 150 officers and engineers participated in the rally. The speakers warned the management that they would be forced to intensify the agitation if their demands were not met.

Kishangarh residents call off stir
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
Following an assurance from Mr Virendra Singh, Adviser to the UT Administrator, that built up houses in Kishangarh village would not be acquired, the residents of the village have called off their ongoing agitation against land acquisition.

A meeting between the residents and the Adviser was held yesterday evening. The residents had been protesting against acquisition of built up houses.

LEAF FROM HISTORY
Corbusier’s dream project that failed
Chitleen K. Sethi

THERE is one small portion in the history of Chandigarh that is made up of something which did not happen. The Museum of Knowledge that Le Corbusier informed his colleagues on 6th April, 1959, was to reflect the modernity of science and technology. Thereby hangs a tale. History, according to one point of view, is made up of accidents. Some that happened, others that are waiting to happen, and yet others that have not happened, and there is little possibility of their happening. History then becomes the narrative of all such happenings and their inter-linkages. No wonder they used to say that man proposes, but God disposes. But sometimes man proposes and, if he is working for the government, then it is the committee which (repeat committee) disposes. When the proposer is an exception among men then history remembers him, with great wonderment, also for that which he could not do. One such man was Le Corbusier. His designs on Chandigarh are widely perceived. His trademark, the black crow, signs some such designs, such as the murals on the Vidhan Sabha building. Others, unsigned for you and me, carry the image of his ideas and aspirations. You just have to walk down a road to experience it.

Many times appreciated, sometimes reviled, but always engendering awe, Corbu, the Crow, as he was nicknamed by some, was a very powerful influence on the way Chandigarh came to be organised. Over 50 years down the line residents, administrators, town-planners and politicians are still trying to resist and grow out of that legacy. Actually, the first bit of effective resistance had already begun even while Corbusier was with the Chandigarh project. It was a committee that did him in, but today, in the historical memories of Chandigarh, many ask about his idea of the “Museum of Knowledge”.

Chandigarh will be “unhampered by traditions of the past”, Jawaharlal Nehru is reported to have said at the inauguration of the new town. He obviously did not have in mind the traditions of the government in India. For, immediately that the basic structure of the city was in place the idea of austerity and jugad that had become the hallmark of Indian government in the 1950s, kicked in and the government began to pare away the more ostentatious of Le Corbusier’s designs. When in 1958 the government decided to use the Circuit House as the Governor’s residence and save money Corbusier was livid. The Capitol complex, including its 4 buildings, the Vidhan Sabha Bhawan, the Secretariat, the High Court and the Governor’s Palace, which was to form the “head” of the human form that was to be Chandigarh, was going to be incomplete. It was at this juncture that Corbusier suggested the Museum of Knowledge in place of the Governor’s Palace.

This was to be a “high organism of explanation of the new modern time in its economic, technical, aesthetic and ethical aspects”, explained his proposal. Was it going to be an exhibition of electronics of the kind that did not yet exist in the country? Was it about technology? Few could understand it then. Corbusier could not provide an example of such a project from anywhere else in the world either. The Secretary tried understanding it from Corbusier himself and was rather relieved to discover, he informed the Capital Control Board, “that there is nothing mysterious in the scheme which Mons. Corbusier wants the state to adopt.”

Although he has been using mystifying terms like “Electronic Devices” and the “Electronic Poem”, it has now been ascertained that the scheme consists of nothing more than the preparation of documentary films on subjects of importance”. Corbusier would have objected to this banalisation of his idea. Many meetings later, on 18 April, 1964, the high level advisory committee recorded that it had still not understood Mons. Corbusier’s proposal for the Museum of Knowledge and hence could not recommend its implementation. Soon thereafter Corbusier died, on 27th August, 1965, and the same month Pierre Jeanneret retired. The Museum of Knowledge project was never revived thereafter.

Sher-e-Punjab remembered
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 27
Members of the Servants of the People Society paid a rich tributes to Sher-e-Punjab Lala Lajpat Rai on his 138th birth anniversary. To mark the day a seminar on ‘‘Culture, History, Nation; Rethinking Lala Lajpat Rai’’ was also organised at Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15, here today.

In his presidential address, Swami Brahmeshananda, secretary, of Ramakrishan Mission, here said Lalaji continued the tradition of Swami Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.

Others who spoke included Dr Sudhir Kumar, Reader, Department of Evening Studies, Panjab University, Dr Pardaman Singh, former professor of Department of Modern History, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Mr Onkar Chand, Chairman of Chandigarh Chapter of the Society and Dr Sudhir Kumar, K.K. Birla Fellow and Reader, Department of Evening Studies.

45 sacked panchayat secys held
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 27
The police today arrested 45 sacked panchayat secretaries under Sections 107 and 151 of the Cr PC from Sector 17 today. However, a spokesman for the Expelled Punjab Panchayat Secretaries Union claimed that 50 members of the union had been picked up by the police.

Meanwhile, 25 panchayat secretaries who had been arrested were released from jail today. 

President’s Police Medal winners
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
The President’s Police Medal for meritorious services has also been awarded to a DSP of Central Detective Training School, Chandigarh, Mr Surinder Pal and two officials of Chandigarh Police. Inspector Hardev Singh, posted in the Women and Child Support Unit and ASI Baldev Singh, Assistant Reader in the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandigarh, are among the recipients of the distinguished medal.

CRIME

Alert cops nab car thief
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27
The city sealing plan of the Chandigarh Police proved to be successful when a car thief was nabbed within minutes of the theft. According to the information available, on the night intervening January 25 and 26, Mr Ankit Chopra, a resident of Sector 38, informed the Police Control Room (PCR) that his car (DL 4c A 6244), had been stolen from outside his house.

The duty officer at the PCR flashed the message to all PCR vehicles and the cops on duty nakas under the sealing plan. The PCR staff at the Piccadily spotted the stolen vehicle and chased it. Four PCR vehicles gave a hot chase to the vehicle and it was finally surrounded near the rotary of Sectors 20, 30, 32 and 33 on the Dakshin Marg. The duty staff from the Sector 34 Police Station also reached the spot and arrested the auto lifter, Ravinder Kumar. However, his associate, Vinay, managed to escape.

Seeing the role of the PCR staff, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Rajesh Kumar, has announced that they will be suitably awarded.

In another case, Daljit Singh, a resident of Industrial Area, Phase IX in SAS Nagar, has been arrested and a stolen bullet motor cycle has been recovered from him. The stolen vehicle belongs to Tarlochan Singh, a resident of Sector 44.

Besides, two teenaged boys, Rajesh and Ajesh, both residents of Colony No. 5, were arrested for stealing 24 water taps from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33 . Both were produced in the juvenile court today.

3 held: Three youth who were triple riding on a scooter with a temporary registration number had a miraculous escape when they tried to escape on being signalled to stop by cops of the Chandigarh Police on the road dividing Sectors 7 and 8 here this evening.

According to information, three youths, identified as Robin, Montoo and Hartej, were riding on a scooter (CH 01 8166 T). When the driver of the scooter did not stop the vehicle, a police party chased them on their vehicle. The youths fell while they were being chased by the cops.

Though the youths were released after their parents were called to Sector 26 police station, the scooter on which they were riding was impounded.

Booked: Two unidentified youths allegedly picked up Rs 250 and some items from a milk booth in Sector 23 yesterday and ran away. The police has registered a case under Sections 382 and 34 of the IPC on the complaint of a Sector 40 resident, Mr Bal Krishan.

Arrested: The police has arrested Gurdarshan Singh, Teg Bahadur and Ram Kumar of Mani Majra for allegedly carrying an x-rated video cassette along with a VCR and a TV set. They have been booked under Sector 292 of the IPC.

Liquor seized: In a special drive against persons indulging in smuggling and unauthorised sale of liquor, the CIA wing of the Chandigarh Police seized at least 1,600 pouches of country liquor from two persons, Meeti and Resham Singh, both residents of Moga. The liquor was being smuggled in a Maruti car that was intercepted near the Sector 34 Police Station.

The CIA has seized 1,700 pouches of liquor in the past two days from Colony Number 5 and Hallomajra.

Suicide: The body of a domestic help, employed at the house of a resident of Sector 18 was found hanging on the first floor of the house yesterday morning. The servant was employed at the house of Harish, a partner in a chain of known sweet shops in the city.

Meanwhile, an unidentified cyclist, who was admitted to the PGI after being hit by an unidentified vehicle in Hallomajra yesterday, succumbed to his injuries today.