C H A N D I G A R H

Top stories | Community | Business | Education | Courts

Lifestyle | Culture | Health | Sports | Administration

TOP STORIES

Students extend strike till today
Leaders go on fast against fee hike
Chandigarh, November 10

Extending the strike in all city colleges by another day, till tomorrow, students of private and government colleges also began an indefinite fast outside the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, here today.
The president of the Panjab University Campus Students' Union, Malwinder Kang, addresses students on the issue of fee hike outside the Vice-Chancellor's office, Panjab University, Chandigarh, on Monday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

UT cops have saved me, says dance girl
Chandigarh, November 10
The dance girls case today took a new turn favouring the police claim, after a mid-course hiccup, with one girl narrating how she was kept in confinement, denied payment and not sent to Chandigarh despite repeated entreaties and protests.

Dance girls: accused produced in court

Picture of the day

Chandigarh youth balle balle!: A celebration of a task accomplished well. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Dara predicts good days for Punjabi films
Chandigarh, November 10
If you think the days of Punjabi cinema are over with big budget Hindi movies making a bang in the box office, you cannot be more divorced from reality — at least this is what wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh believes in.

Sharp fall in mail business
Chandigarh, November 10
Lack of financial resources and support from the Central Government to the desired extent has badly affected the computerisation programme in the Department of Posts. It has resulted in further loss of business to the department.

COMMUNITY

BJP stir against property tax tomorrow

Chandigarh, November 10 The local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today accused the Congress of doublespeak on the issue of demolitions. The BJP said it would stage a dharna to protest against the imposition of property tax in the city on November 12. Former local MP Satya Pal Jain addresses a press conference at the local BJP office, Kamalam, Sector 33, Chandigarh, on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Welfare body seeks MC’s help
Chandigarh, November 10
The Chandigarh Defence Colony Welfare Association , Sector 35, today said an amount of Rs 26.57 lakh, released from the MP Development Fund, had been spent on various developmental works in the sector. Air Marshal Randhir Singh (retd), the president of the association, said the amount had been used for developing parks, two badminton courts and laying foothpaths.

Booster installed at Indira Colony
Chandigarh, November 10
A booster to increase water pressure was inaugurated by Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal , MP, at Indira colony, Mani Majra, here today. The booster of one lakh capacity has been installed out of the MP Development Fund. The Commissioner, Mr M.P. Singh, the Mayor, Mr Subhash Chawla and the area councillor, Mr Surinder Singh were also present.

Scribes protest against TN Assembly orders

Chandigarh, November 10 City-based journalists of the print and electronic media held a rally at the Sector 17 plaza here to protest against the orders issued by the speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly against senior journalists of The Hindu and an editor of the DMK’s party paper, Murasoli. Members of the Chandigarh-Punjab Union of Journalists protest against the issuing of arrest warrants against senior journalists of The Hindu by the Tamil Nadu Government at Sector 17 on Monday. — A Tribune photograph.

PHSC fate depends on World Bank’s decision
SAS Nagar, November 10
A Rs 200 crore project for primary health care centres in Punjab has been sent to the World Bank for clearance and the winding up to the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) depends on the decision that the bank takes in connection with loan.

FAUJI BEAT Royal Jats celebrate bicentenary from November 14 THE 2 Mechanised Infantry 1 Jat (LI) was raised by Capt Samuel Wood on November 9, 1803 at Fatehgarh in Uttar Pradesh as 1st Battalion, 22 Bengal Native Infantry. The first Commandant of 22 Bengal Native Infantry was Lt-Col Kyan. The Colours presented to the 2 Mechanised Infantry 1 Jat (LI) by the then President, Mr Venkataraman, on February 24, 1988.

ISKCON holds ‘Deepdaan’ ceremony
Chandigarh, November 10
A month-long “Deepdaan” ceremony, part of Kartic Urjbrat (fast in Kartic month) organised by the local unit of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), at Hare Krishna Dham, Sector 36-B, concluded here yesterday. It drew thousands of devotees throughout the month, said Bhakti Vinode Dasa Prabhu, the president of the local unit of ISKCON.

British Columbia Premier buys shawls
Chandigarh, November 10
The Premier of British Columbia, Mr Gordon Campbell, visited Phulkari, a Punjab Government emporium. He spent about two hours going through the exclusive range of rich handicrafts.

Bansal addresses rally
Chandigarh, November 10
Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, today visited Sector 40 to listen to the grievances of the residents whose houses had been recently demolished by the Chandigarh Housing Board. Addressing a rally organised by the residents, Mr Bansal said the action was unconstitutional.

Retreat on spirituality
Chandigarh, November 10
At least 250 residents participated in a day-long retreat on self-empowerment through spirituality at Northern Zonal Headquarters of Rajyoga Bhavan in Sector 33-A organised by the International Organisation of Brahma Kumaris here today.

Tohra to address gurdwara seminar
Chandigarh, November 10
The Institute of Sikh Studies will hold its annual seminar on November 15 and 16 in Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Kanthala, Tribune Chowk, Chandigarh. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President of the SGPC, will address the seminar `` Guru Granth- Guru Panth’’ on the second day.

BUSINESS

Bharti awards northern HR team
Chandigarh, November 10
Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, CMD, Bharti Group has awarded the Bharti Tele-Ventures HR Team Award for the year 2003 to the human resource team of Airtel— North Region. The team has won that award under the leadership of Mr Harshvendra Soin, General Manager, HR, North Region.

EDUCATION

Panel for sack of 134 education board clerks
SAS Nagar, November 10
Virtually sealing the fate of the 134 clerks removed by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) following Vigilance enquiries questioning the mode of their selection, the committee appointed by the board to look into the case has found the selection process vitiated and recommended the quashing of their appointment.

Tribune in Education Artist and cricketer at 12 Chandigarh, November 10 From the bustling cricket field to the solitude of sketching, 12-year-old Udbhav Khandelwal oscillates between the two with utmost ease and dignified calm, somewhat unnatural for his age. Shy and cautious, he is reluctant to open up and weighs every word he utters. And yet, despite his introvert nature, there are no holds barred when it comes to sketching, a fondness which has grown over the years. “I began sketching in Class III and it just appealed to me.

Sarvhitkari schools’ science fair concludes

SAS Nagar, November 10 Sixteen schools participated in a two-day science fair organised at Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir Model High School, Sector 71, which concluded here today. Students from Sarvhitkari schools located in Patiala and Chandigarh zones displayed their models which covered topics like rainwater harnessing, fog-water collection, management of water, smoke-treatment plant, sources of energy, means of transport, use of plastic bags etc. Students also took part in a paper-reading contest, a science quiz and a Vedic maths quiz.

Students of Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir Model High School, Sector 71, perform giddha at a function in SAS Nagar on Monday. —Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Awareness march organised
Chandigarh, November 10
A special assembly was organised at Delhi Public School, Sector 40, here today, to mark the launch of the “Civic and Social Consciousness Week” which was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Youth affairs and Sports, Mr D.S. Bains.

St Anne’s wins inter-school song contest Chandigarh, November 10 An inter-school patriotic group song competition was held at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, today. Students from St Edward High School Shimla, St Mary’s High School, Sundernagar, St Luke’s Senior Secondary School, Solan, St Peter’s Academy Patiala, St Paul’s High School, Ajrawar, Sophia Convent School, Kalka, and St Anne’s Convent, participated in the competition. Students participate in an inter-school patriotic group song competition in Chandigarh on Monday. — Tribune photograph

Science congress from Jan 3
Chandigarh, November 10
The 91st session of the Indian Science Congress will be held at Panjab University from January 3 to 7 next year under the joint auspices of Panjab University and the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH). The theme of the Congress, to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, is “Science and Society in the 21st century—Quest for Excellence”.

COURTS

Status quo ordered in Principal case
Panchkula, November 10
Acting on a suit filed by the Principal of Hansraj Public School, Ms Rajni Thareja, a local court today ordered the maintenance of “status quo regarding the implementation of her transfer order dated October 22 and stay on her suspension”.

LIFESTYLE

Gadgil’s daughters on a unique mission A tale of love, affection with Punjab Four daughters of the late Governor of Punjab, Mr N.V.Gadgil, are on a unique mission to Punjab — to bestow Matru Pitru Smriti awards on two Punjabis for their outstanding contribution in the field of literature and social work. The awards will be given away by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT, Chandigarh, Justice O.P. Verma, at a special function to be held in Chandigarh on November 11 at Punjab Kala Bhavan (From left) The Gadgil sisters — Mrs Usha Alekar, Mrs Sharda Vinchurker, Mrs Surekha Panandiker and Mrs Kranti Natu at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Chandigarh, on Monday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

I am comfortable in politics
MY choice of joining student politics was not an easy decision. I faced a lot of criticism from friends and stiff opposition from family members when I announced my decision.

Malwinder Singh Kang (President of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council)

CULTURE

Shooting begins Chandigarh, November 10 Dazzling lights illuminated a freshly white-washed room in a palatial Sector 5 bungalow. Amidst the razzle-dazzle, stood a woman in salwar-kameez over a velvet covered sofa set placed in the middle of the room. Dara Singh on the sets of ‘Aangan Tedha’, a comedy serial being produced for Doordarshan.  — A Tribune photograph

RadioBuzz is one year old
Chandigarh, November 10
With 532 radio shows and 4,166 requests from listeners, RadioBuzz celebrated its first anniversary here today. RadioBuzz has been broadcasting a number of shows being hosted by a team consisting of 10 jockeys on Chandigarh air FM.

HEALTH

Uncle Sam is looking for Indian nurses

Chandigarh, November 10 The good news for Indian nurses is that the good old US of A is short of 10,000 nurses right now. By 2013, this shortfall is likely to multiply ten-fold to nearly 1,00,000 jobs. And they want Indian nurses to work in their hospitals. But the bad news is that most Indian nurses cannot speak and understand English with an American accent. Mr Mike Nobles, president, CPI Medical Staffing Inc,USA, talks to Indian nurses at a seminar in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Floodlights to boost basketball events Chandigarh, November 10 The lone Sports Training centre in the city, being run under the aegis of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), located at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, will get a further boost in basketball activities, as the basketball courts have been floodlit, thanks to the initiative taken by the SAI authorities. Basketball eves play at floodlit courts in the Sports Training Centre, Sector 18, Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Tanu, Yotsa win carrom meet
Chandigarh, November 10
Tanu Syal of Saupin’s School, Sector 9, Panchkula, and Yotsa Khamson of St Stephen’s, Panchkula, emerged winners in the junior girls and junior boys sections, respectively, of the third Saupin’s inter-school carrom tournament at Saupin’s School today.

PU organises relay races
Chandigarh, November 10
DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, secured first place in the 4x200 in relay in the men’s section of the Panjab University inter-college relay races meet at Panjab University grounds here today. The team, comprising Lakhvir Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Jatinder Bir Singh and Harmal Singh, clocked 1:32.70. SGGS College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, got second place while SCD Government College, Ludhiana, bagged third place.

ADMINISTRATION

PUDA to hold flower show in Mohali
SAS Nagar, November 10
The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) will organise the first flower show in the town in February, 2004 on lines of Chandigarh and Panchkula.

Rail counter: DC to meet PUDA chief
SAS Nagar, November 10
Having locked horns over the issue of providing rent-free space for the opening of a railway reservation counter here, the Deputy Commissioner of Ropar will now meet the Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), regarding the issue.

Road safety panel on cards
Chandigarh, November 10
Besides forming a road safety committee for better coordination between the UT Traffic Police and Engineering department, it has been decided to carry out certain modifications on major roads in the city. These decisions were taken at a meeting of the state-level Road Safety Council held here today.

Gymkhana Club opens today
Panchkula, November 10
A sprawling Gymkhana Club, on the foothills of the Shivaliks and near the Ghaggar in Sector 3, will be dedicated to the people tomorrow. The club, which will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister tomorrow, has been constructed by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). This is the second Gymkhana Club to be constructed by HUDA in the township, the first being in Sector 6.