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Proposed CHB flats to cost
less Chandigarh, November 13 The Administration has agreed to a proposal of the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to charge only for the area which will be covered by the flats and leave out the green belts and other open spaces. Land used for services like sewerage, storm water and water supply will be charged. This will reduce the cost of flats tremendously. The cost of allotment of land is Rs 2,850 per square yard. About 25 per cent land will go towards open area, approach roads, parks and green belts. Keeping this in mind, the CHB told the Administration that since the development of green belts was a part of the masterplan of the city, the CHB should not be paying for the land. The same rule had applied in case of allotments made to group housing societies. The CHB was the land allotting agency and the societies did the constructions on their own. The Finance Secretary, Mr Karan Avatar Singh, said it had been decided not to charge for the open areas. |
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Teenagers also prone to
hypertension Chandigarh, November 13 Latest studies indicate that almost 90 per cent of the hypertensive people suffer from mild or borderline hypertension, with no distinct symptoms associated with the problem. More importantly, doctors now feel that lifestyle modification alone cannot control the problem as medicines are a must. “Surprisingly, a large number of teenagers, some as young as 15, have been found to be hypertensive. So unlike earlier times, doctors must check their blood pressure also,” says Dr H.K. Bali, Additional Professor in Cardiology at PGI. A person having a diastolic between 85 and 105 is considered to be mildly hypertensive, even though the associated symptoms of headache, irritability, insomnia and fatigue might not be present. “What needs to be stressed is that a hypertensive person is perfectly normal. He is physically, emotionally, psychologically and socially active but needs a long-term treatment to get rid of the problem,” explained Dr Bali. Though being hypertensive might not give any immediate health problems, over a period of time it could lead to cardiac attack, progressive renal failure or even affect the lower limb arteries. He said the anti-hypertensive drugs given earlier had a lot of side effects but the latest single drugs were very effective. Apart from the drugs prescribed by doctors, the lifestyle modifications must include brisk walking, jogging and outdoor games but isometric exercises like weight lifting, push-ups and bull worker must be avoided completely. “At least a 45-minute exercise which equal a 5-km walk must be undertaken on five days a week,”said Dr Bali. |
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Alcoholism a family
disease: expert Chandigarh, November 13 Arriving in Chandigarh to chair the 32nd National General Service Conference of AA opening tomorrow, Dr McDowell, twice the recipient of the Presidential citation (from George Bush and Bill Clinton) for her expertise in tackling alcohol and drug problems in America, Canada and Africa, described alcoholism as a family disease. Surveys confirm that against every suffering alcoholic, five people known to him are affected. The number of people suffering indirectly could thus be staggering because one out of every 10 drinkers in the world is an alcoholic. In the given scenario, where alcoholism continues to be a major public health enigma throughout the world, Dr McDowell begins by stressing the need to understand the factors that perpetuate the problem. “Genetic factors are extremely critical. A person born with these is at higher risk to be an alcoholic than others in the population. Along with psychological factors like depression and social factors like meagre income, genetic factors can accentuate the problem tremendously. The primary solution lies in identifying high risk groups and helping them accept that they need solutions which are offered heartily at AA.” Significantly, 140 million alcoholics still walk the earth, but AA knows of only 2.4 million. Assessing the situation vis-a-vis India, Dr McDowell, said, “During my nine years of association with AA as its nonalcoholic trustee, I have developed faith in its power to cure the world. The Fellowship’s greatest strength is its singleness of purpose. That explains its growth in India. Where in the first 44 years of its inception since 1958, it could motivate about 400 members, in the recent past it has added 25,000 members working in 700 groups. People are reaching out we, at AA, don’t preach. We only share. It’s through the power of sharing that AA has managed 50 per cent success rate in relapse prevention.” Having devised successful programmes for children of alcoholics and drug abusers, besides establishing national substance-abuse treatment and prevention programmes for pregnant and parenting women and their infants, back home in the USA, Dr McDowell advocates the need to develop culturally-sensitive strategies that can be replicated across the world, with minor adaptations. Also the former leader of the international team on substance (alcohol or drug) abuse prevention training to 22 nations at regional sites in sub-Saharan Africa, Dr McDowell stresses the need to design a curriculum that naturally inspires young minds towards sobriety. “The American educational institutions have incorporated factors of alcoholism and drug abuse in curricula. India can do the same, so that children grow with risk factors and their consequences on their tips.” Looking forward to collective healing through AA, she added, “AA is a fellowship which men, women, youth, with all their insecurities, can join with an assurance of support. Let them remember that this is the movement which brought recovery to countless alcoholics across the globe.” Chandigarh, November 13 “I needed alcohol to wake up. With two pegs inside me, I could think better or so I thought. I continued to drink even when doctors diagnosed me as suffering from acute jaundice. Sometimes I broke bottles, to lift them again the next day. My relationship with God was that of contempt. I considered myself to be God. Then I heard about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and attended one of its meetings. “Till then I used to think I would not be able to quit drinks and, moreover, what I would do without alcohol as life was empty without it. At AA I was surprised when I saw people laughing and happy at 8 p.m., that too without drinking. Life changed after that. My obsession with alcohol is gone. Now I try to find my humble place in God’s scheme of things.” Ms Jaya (identity changed) had no hesitation in admitting that till she joined AA, she thought anger and irritable behaviour were the gifts of alcoholism. But now she had learnt that alcoholism was a disease and she was not its cause. She had also learnt how to deal with a “patient suffering from alcoholism”. Ms Rachna (not real name) said she was a child of a “disfunctional family” as her father was an alcoholic. Arguments between her father and mother were a routine. Being the eldest child, she was the worst affected. Though she loved both her parents, she would be accused of being partisan by each. Relatives used to make fun of her by referring to her father’s alcoholism. She became a recluse. She saw a ray of hope in AA. She learnt how to live her own life. “People were the same but I changed. My relations with them improved and I no longer feel dejected.” Lalit (identity changed) said when he was an alcoholic, there was prohibition in Mumbai and Mr Morarji Desai was the Chief Minister. “Sitting in a drinking joint in the evening, we used to dismiss the Chief Minister as if we were the Governor.” All of them were either members of AA or their family members. They were sharing their experiences with the Haryana Governor, Babu Parmanand, at Raj Bhawan this evening. Babu Parmanand had invited them for tea along with Ms Elian McDowell, Chairperson, AA World; and Mr Greg M., General Manager of AA World Service, New York. |
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Tribune impact Chandigarh, November 13 The Tribune had highlighted a few days ago how encroachments near the Rehri Market in Sector 19 had forced the Administration to change the course of the cycle track in that sector. Justice Verma said during the meeting with senior officers today that every road should be studied case by case and a uniform principle could not be followed for every road. He said while planning the cycle track, it should be ensured that all openings on V-3 roads were properly sealed. Justice Verma said that a complete survey should be done to re-design the road to meet the requirements of increasing traffic. |
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Horse show
in city on Nov 15, 16 Chandigarh, November 13 The Chandigarh Horse Riders Society (CHRS), with the Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr Jai Singh Gill, as its president and Mr J.S. Toor as its general secretary, has provided young riders with 14 trained horses, besides other facilities. In the horse show Juvraj Singh will lead the team and take part in tent pegging along with Kamaldeep Singh Longia, Mandeep Rathee and Sukhdev Singh. Mehar Sidhu, Shivani Garg and Heina Boparai will take part in ladies’ hack. City riders will also show their might in junior jumping, children ball and bucket in sub-junior and junior sections. |
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Sambhar crushed by speeding vehicle Panchkula, November 13 The carcass of the five-year-old sambhar was found near the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, today morning. Wildlife officials said Dr Vinod Sharma conducted a post-mortem. This is the third such incident of a sambhar straying from the forests and being crushed by a speeding vehicle this year. One sambhar was killed in an accident in Chandi Mandir in June, while another was killed in Raipur Rani two months ago. Wildlife officials say since the onset of winters was a mating season for sambhars, the male members of the breed generally fought over the female breed and the weak males were chased out of the forest. Thus, a lot of sambhars could be seen near the forest areas of Bir Shikargah and Morni. |
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Visual tribute to armed
forces Chandigarh, November 13 The ongoing photo-exhibition at IndusInd gallery in Sector 8 is one such show, structured for the sheer of patriotism. Put together by Sanjeev Chawla, a freelance photojournalist and member of the guest faculty at DAV College, Amritsar, the exhibition has been titled aptly, “Vande Mataram.” Captured in the frames is the spirit of nationalism, that pervades the armed forces through sun and shade. It comprises certain extremely telling pictures, which serves as windows to the battlefronts and also to the tough lives which personnel of the forces lead in order that peace may bless the frontiers. Structured as a tribute to the forces guarding the nation, the exhibition highlights different facets of the lives of soldiers on fronts, their hearty interaction with people of border villages, who happen to be their only link to the peaceful world outside. There are also some highly informative pictures on the deployment of forces. To make the show a success, the lensman has visited many places, including the Husainiwala border and the Wagah border. He even had a miraculous escape when he fell into the nullah perched between deadly glaciers somewhere in Northern sector where he had gone to shoot some pictures of the Indo-Border Police personnel manning the snowline to prevent infiltration. Interestingly, school kids were special invitees to this exhibition which opened two days ago at the gallery. The idea of welcoming kids was to inspire the feeling of nationalism among them. The man behind the show said, “It is the armed forces of India which are binding nation together by gracefully laying down their lives at the altar of country’s integrity. The exhibition also aims to present photographs which can later be used by students and researchers in defence studies.” While the exhibition has opened to a warm response in City Beautiful, Sanjeev Chawla plans to take it across India. |
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Book brings Banda Bahadur
alive SAS Nagar, November 13 The ‘Legend of Banda Bahadur’ written by Mr Dhillon that hit the stands today is his third book on subjects connected with Punjab. ‘The Lives and Teachings of the Sikh Gurus’ and ‘Love Stories From Punjab’ being his earlier books on Punjab-related topics. He has two novels and a collection of short stories to his credit as well. His affair with writing began at the tender age of 12 years with a contribution in the school house journal and there has been no looking back since then. Talking to TNS today, he admitted that he was no authority on Punjabi literature or folklore and his books had provided him with an opportunity to discover his roots. What made him switch over from writing short stories to accounts of historical events and characters? ‘‘The realisation that despite being a Punjabi and a Sikh, I had very little connection with my roots jolted my Punjabiat and I decided to acquaint myself and other young readers with our rich cultural heritage through these topics’’. The language and narrative are deliberately kept simple as he wants to reach out to young readers more. His latest book is on Banda Bahadur which, he says, was the obvious choice after writing about the 10 Sikh Gurus. ‘‘Apart from that the enigma of this character who is termed as a blood-thirsty avenger by some authors and as a saint by others fascinated me’’, he adds. ‘‘Other interesting facets of Banda Bahadur’s personality like his journey from spiritualism to materialism and his skill as a military general also added to my admiration for him’’. In reply to a query that with many books already written on this topic what sets his book apart and what according to him was the USP of his work, he said that normally what you get to read are thoroughly researched historical accounts of the feats of this character, but his is not a cut and dried account. He has taken care to breathe life into the character. Banda Bahadur has been depicted as no mean war machine but as a man of flesh and blood with his moments of glory and shortcomings. ‘‘I have not painted him in black or white but tried to bring out the various hues of his personality . I look at him as a socio-economic reformer who was against the caste and zamindaari systems’’. He also writes about current topics as he has recently written a short story titled ‘Kabootar’. He plans to bring out a collection of short stories soon. |
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Appeal to use treated water for irrigating lawns Chandigarh, November 13 This will include several major institutes like the PGI, CSIO, Panjab University and Punjab Engineering College among others. Most of the institutes have huge open areas and at present use drinking water for watering these areas. The Municipal Commissioner will coordinate so that the internal water supply network is ready by the onset of the summer. The Commissioner of the Corporation has also allotted work to construct 16 more bus shelters under the build operate and transfer (BOT) scheme. Another 17 such shelters would be allotted for the construction to bidders in December. Concern over un-planned growth in the villages falling in the municipal area as well as in the periphery, the UT Administrator, Justice O.P. Verma has asked the Finance Secretary to put up the draft of village byelaws by Monday and make efforts to notify it within 10 days. |
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Councillor seeks Chief Architect’s
nod Chandigarh, November 13 In another representation, the councillor has sought place for constructing community centres in Sector 22. Mr Chhabra said the community centres could be |
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Land dispute: ex-servicemen’s bodies back ex-Colonel SAS Nagar, November 13 Representatives of the two organisations backed the stance of Col B.S. Guraya (retd) at a press conference held here and said an FIR should be registered against Mr R.R. Bharadwaj, a retired IAS officer, and his son on the basis of a complaint lodged with the police on November 6. Major S.S. Dhillon (retd), the general secretary of the brotherhood, and Col J.S. Bal (retd), president of the dal, also sought the removal of Mr Bharadwaj from the Punjab Planning Board. The two ex-servicemen’s organisations also demanded action against ASI Jai Kishan and SHO Gurjeet Singh. They said the revenue authorities should investigate the ownership and the sale of the land. Mr Bharadwaj said the matter in connection with the registration of a case against him was in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the case would come for hearing on Monday. He said the demand for removing him from the Planning Board was unjustified as it had been based on distorted facts. |
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SAS Nagar Diary The Trade Union Council here has opposed the proposals of the Union Labour Minister, Mr Sahib Singh Verma, to exempt units in special economic zones from the payment of statutory dues like contribution to employees state provident fund and employees state insurance for five years, introduction of contract labour from January 2004 and amendment to the abolition of contract labour. In a press note, Mr Ramji Dass, general secretary of the council, said members of the trade union had stated that the minister should desist from “anti-labour” decisions that were being taken on the dictates of the WTO and IMF, besides monopoly houses. Union labour leaders said this was the beginning of the hire-and-fire policy which MNCs and big industrial houses wanted to pursue. Vigilance awareness week A vigilance awareness week was observed at Semi-Conductors Limited here as part of the nationwide campaign of the Central Vigilance Commission against corruption. The week commenced on November 3 with the taking of pledge by all employees to bring about transparency in all spheres. A talk on “Ethics in life, business and profession” was delivered by Mr K.K. Chopra, member of the Managing Committee of the Ramkrishan Mission Ashram, New Delhi. Dental camp The Rotary Club, SAS Nagar, organised a free dental camp at the Civil Hospital here on Thursday. The camp was inaugurated by the president of the Club, Mr B.S.
Khandpur. Past President Manpreet Singh said the dental camp would be on till November 24 from 9 am to 3 pm. |
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Draw for dairy sites on November
19 Chandigarh, November 13 A physical verification had been done to find eligible applicants. The allotment is being made at the rate of Rs 2 per square yard on rental basis on plots measuring between 150 square yards and 300 square yards depending upon the number of milch cattle owned by the applicant. Dairy owners of the villages of Attawa, Buterla, Badheri and Burail here will be covered under the scheme. The site has been developed by the panchayat under the guidelines of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer and the Deputy Commissioner. A road has been constructed and arrangement for water through tubewells and handpumps is being made. Detailed terms and conditions of the allotment will be announced and can be seen at the site on the above said date and time. Besides, those bona fide Dairy owners who had not applied earlier can apply on the same day and their cases will be considered subject to proper physical verification. |
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Five lakh bonded labourers in
Punjab Chandigarh, November 13 Another speaker, Dr Mohinder Partap Rana, president of the Budha Samaj Samiti, Delhi, said due to the opening of economy, it was the weaker section which had been affected the most. Mr Tanzen Wangial, Director Regional Office, SC/ST Commiss-ion, said the Dalit rights on land were not being adhered to. Prof Varinder Kumar, Department of Laws, Panjab University, also spoke on the occasion. |
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Eligibility list for plot
allotment Chandigarh, November 13 The draw of lots for the eligible persons of Janata Colony for allotting 602 plinths will be held on November 25 at 11 am in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Sector 17. |
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3 scooterists hurt in mishap Chandigarh, November 13 |
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Owner of 150 acres arrested for stealing
cars Chandigarh, November 13 The police has recovered three Maruti 800 cars from Sitaram of Kyodak village and Sahab Singh of Patti Afghana village in Kaithal district. The police said both of them had a criminal record in Punjab and Haryana. While Sitaram had a number of cases of liquor smuggling and other crimes registered against him during prohibition in Haryana, seven vehicles had been recovered from Sahab Singh a year ago. "The arrest of the gang members is likely to lead to more recoveries and give some clues on vehicle thefts in the city and fake registration racket likely to be running in the region,” DSP S.C. Sagar and Inspector Satbir Singh said at a press conference here today. Sitaram was nabbed last evening near the Piccadily roundabout on the basis of a tip-off. Sitaram’s car had a fake registration number. The car was allegedly stolen from Delhi. On the basis of information received from Sitaram, a police party from Sector 17 was sent to Patti Afghana village last night where Sahab Singh was arrested. During the interrogation, the two revealed that one of vehicles stolen from Delhi had been parked by them at the ISBT in Sector 17. They also produced the parking slip of the vehicle. On their disclosure, the police recovered this vehicle. The police today procured a remand of the two till November 22. |
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Driver booked for damaging transformer Panchkula, November 13 Burglary Cash worth Rs 80,000 and gold jewellery were stolen from the Sector 17 house of Mr R.C. Sharma. It is learnt that the Sharmas were out of station since November 10. However, when they came back on Wednesday evening, they found their house ransacked and the cash and jewellery missing. The police was called and a team of finger-print experts were also summoned from Ambala. The police has registered a case. |
Lancer winner in
dilemma Chandigarh, November 13 “We were all overjoyed when we heard the news that I have won a Lancer in a scheme floated by Airtel”, said Rakesh while talking to TNS here today. “The car is a sleek, top of the line model. And I love its red colour. I would like to keep it and drive it. But then there are other priorities...” Rakesh’s father died two years ago. Besides his mother, he has two sisters. One of them — elder to him — is of marriageable age. The family is being looked after by his uncle. He was quite clear about the car. “We don’t really need it,” he said, adding that: “We will like to dispose it of and use the money for the wedding of his two sisters”. Meanwhile, Airtel also unveiled a list of 1,00,460 winners of its Win-Win programme held for “Airtel Magic” pre-paid customers in Punjab. In the programme, every customer automatically got a chance to win attractive prizes on the purchase of a recharge coupon or a start-up kit. The prizes included a Lancer car, 10 diamond pendants, 50 gold pendants, 150 handsets and 250 walkmans. 1,00,000 customers also got free air time. |
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