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Thousands stranded as NH blocked
Akali workers prevented from reaching Ropar
Ropar/Mohali, December 1
The entire stretch of the national highway between Kharar and Ropar leading to key destinations in Punjab and Himachal was sealed for over six hours by the police to prevent Akali workers from reaching Ropar, leaving thousands of people stranded on the road.

A traffic jam on the Chandigarh-Ropar road, caused by Akali workers near Kharar A traffic jam on the Chandigarh- Ropar road, caused by Akali workers near Kharar on Monday.
— Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

No stopping Badal supporters
Chandigarh, December 1
The Akalis were apparently back in power. At least for a day. As the supporters blocked road leading to Ropar, many police personnel looked around helplessly. Some policemen did use force to disperse the agitating supporters, but to infuriated the crowd in the process.

REGIONAL BRIEFS

EARLIER STORIES

	Akalis converge on Nada Sahib December 1, 2003
	MC loses crores due to illegal occupation November 30, 2003
	Seepage threatens PU buildings November 29, 2003
	CHB slashes interest rate November 28, 2003
	OT lights firm holds up GMCH block November 27, 2003
	7 MC officials indicted in cows’ death case November 26, 2003
	Panchkula woman’s throat slashed November 25, 2003
	‘Rasta roko’ leaves hundreds stranded November 24, 2003
	Critical issues confront UT Adviser November 23, 2003
	Stir over fee hike loses steam November 22, 2003

COMMUNITY

MC to take strict action on dumping of construction waste
Chandigarh, December 1
The municipal corporation will take action against the residents who use green belts for the dumping of construction material. As per the law, no permission can be given for the dumping of construction material in open spaces developed by the municipal corporation.

Police help sought to deal with quacks
Panchkula, December 1
The under-staffed Health Department has sought police help in dealing with the hundreds of quacks operating in the district. Senior health officials inform that they have approached the state police authorities to deploy police personnel at each police post to verify and check “quacks” operating in the area, including medical practitioners not registered with the state.

Two hurt as Army truck, car collide

Zirakpur, December 1
Two persons were injured when their car collided head on with an Army truck on the Kalka-Ambala highway in front of the Silver City colony, near here, this morning. The third occupant of the car, Harjit Singh (15), escaped unhurt.

Harjit Singh, along with the remains of a car which collided head on with an Army truck infront of the Silver City colony on the Kalka-Ambala highway, near Zirakpur, on Monday.
— A Tribune photograph.

Young achiever
Skating is about expressing oneself
Chandigarh, December 1
For Shimla-girl Shubhangini Rathore, a Class XII student at St Xavier's School, Sector 44, skating was meant to be just another activity to keep her "occupied" during her winter break. It was certainly not her passport to fame though it is doing just that — bringing in accolades and medals.

Fauji Beat
They saved Fazilka in 1971 war
A beautiful memorial stands in Asafwala at the site where the bodies of 64 war heroes of 4 Jat — who sacrificed their lives to save Fazilka — were cremated on December 18, 1971. Fazilka, a border town in Ferozepore district, witnessed a fierce fight in the 1971 war in which 200 Indian Army men were killed and 450 wounded.

4 Jat War Memorial at Asafwala in Fazilka

Readers Write
Frivolous demands of students
In view of the recent agitation by students of local colleges against the proposed fee hike, I feel that this ‘mobile-mobike’ class of students is not justified in seeking fee rollback. If they can afford swanky cars, motorcycles and mobile phones, they can easily pay a little more as college fee.

EDUCATION

Student leaders boycott committee meeting
Chandigarh, December 1
Student representatives boycotted the first meeting of the committee constituted to look into the issue of fee hike in city colleges here today. A delegation, led by Gayatri Bawa, submitted a memorandum to the Education Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, seeking inclusion of two student leaders from private colleges and representation to the Panjab University Campus Students Council in the committee.

Fourth state youth fest opens
Chandigarh, December 1
The two-day fourth state youth festival 2003-04 began at the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, here today. Organised by the Sports Department of the Chandigarh Administration, the contest saw participation from two colleges, DAV College, Sector 10, and Government College, Sector 11, three clubs and a number of city schools participated in various contests. Students participate in the fourth state Youth Festival 2003-04 at the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, in Chandigarh

Students participate in the fourth state Youth Festival 2003-04 at the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Shashi Kumar wins essay competition
Chandigarh, December 1
The Department of Hindi, Panjab University, announced the results of various writing contests here today. The contests were organised on the occasion of Hindi Day-2003.

Shashi Kanta is acting Principal of GCG-42
Chandigarh, December 1
Mrs Shashi Kanta Sharma today took over as the acting Principal of Government College for Girls, Sector 42, here today. She received her appointment orders from the Director, Education (Colleges), this morning.

Students bring Lilliputians to life
Panchkula, December 1
The local Adhunik Nursery School, Sector 6, presented its 18th annual function at Yavanika here yesterday. Schoolchildren presented a unique programme, ‘adhunik circus’, comprising a variety of items like dances of animals, acrobatics, juggling and rope-walking.

COURTS

Hearing on ex-Principal's application today
Panchkula, December 1
The Additional Sessions Judge, Panchkula, Mr H.S. Bhangoo, will hear two applications moved by a former Principal of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Dr(Mrs) Rajani Thareja, and the DAV College Managing Committee tomorrow.

CULTURE

Sugandhi wins theatre contest
Chandigarh, December 1
As many as 32 theatre groups from Punjab and Chandigarh took part in a three-day theatre competition held here under the auspices of North Zone Cultural Centre which concluded here yesterday.

A view of a play staged during the three-day theatre competition organised by North Zone Cultural Centre at Chandigarh.

LIFESTYLE

Right time to sell gold as the metal touches Rs 6,050 mark

AS the gold prices have crossed the Rs 6,000 per 10 gram mark, the parents of brides and grooms have began to feel the heat during the ongoing marriage season. Though some of the stockists are still expecting that prices may touch the Rs 6,050 mark in the next few days, a section of the people have began to sell gold in the market.

As the gold prices have crossed Rs 6,000 per 10 gram mark, the jewellers are witnessing a fall in demand despite the ongoing festival season.
— A Tribune photograph

As the gold prices have crossed Rs 6,000 per 10 gram mark, the jewellers are witnessing a fall in demand despite the ongoing festival season

World’s most expensive tie showcased at Ebony
HERE is a necktie for someone who may not like to flaunt his wealth but still make an exclusive, though expensive, fashion statement. It is another matter that he may have to be guarded by armed guards in the process.

A cop with poetic leanings
THE last thing one would expect from a policeman is poetry. Nonetheless, Parwinder Bhammipuri, a Constable with the Punjab police, is a born poet. Writing Punjabi songs, poems and ghazals is his domain.

It’s my life
I believe in hard work, not fantasies
MERE fantasies do not take you anywhere. I believe that only people who have the capacity to make dreams come true can be successful. I dream to join the Indian Institute of Technology. I back by ideas with my tight work schedule because only the information stored in my mind will flow on the answer-sheets which will decide my future.

HEALTH

World AIDS Day

AIDS project for drug users soon
Chandigarh, December 1
With 1,400 injecting drug users in the city, the UT AIDS Control Society will soon start an exclusive intervention project to stress against sharing of needles for narcotic use, apart from having linkages with drug de-addiction centres.

HIV positive cases on the rise
Chandigarh, December 1
To provide low-cost holistic care to AIDS patients and train their families to take care of terminally ill patients, the UT AIDS Control Society will soon set up the first Community Care Centre of North India and start more projects to cover vulnerable population as per the mapping undertaken to identify the high-risk groups in the city.

Rallies, contests mark World AIDS Day

Chandigarh, December 1
Lectures, rallies and interaction sessions were held in city schools and colleges to mark World AIDS Day here today. The causes, symptoms, and nature of the AIDS causing HIV virus, its transmission and precautions were discussed.

Students of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 44-B, Chandigarh, hold a rally on World AIDS Day on Monday.
— Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Special lights for new GMCH block soon
Chandigarh, December 1
The much-awaited special lights for the new operation theatres of “C” block of Government Medical College and Hospital are finally arriving and the new six-storey block will be a new year gift for the city residents.

Special health camps for slum areas
Panchkula, December 1
Special health camps would be organised in slum areas of all towns and rural areas of the state for five years, beginning January, 2004. This was stated by Director General, Health Services, Dr B.S. Dahiya, while speaking at a function organised at Azad Colony here on AIDS Day.

SPORTS

UK team to give lessons in golf
Chandigarh, December 1 A four-member UK-based PGA (Professional Golfer’s Association) team arrived here today to give lessons in golf over the next three days at the Chandigarh Golf Club. The teams which have had the taste of the first part of the golf teaching at the DLF Golf academy, Delhi, will be apprising promising players of the city of finer points of golf on their maiden visit to India.
PGA Golf professionals from the UK (from left) Mark Arnold, Claire White, Beverly Hukes and Peter Cain and the Director Operations, PGA Design Consulting Mr Randeep Waraich, at the Chandigarh Golf Club on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Mohali Club clinch junior powerlifting trophy
Chandigarh, December 1
The Public Sports Club, Mohali, clinched the 12th Junior Chandigarh Powerlifting Championship (men) trophy for the 12th consecutive year which concluded here last evening at Weightlifting Coaching Centre, Sector 42.

ADMINISTRATION

Groundwork to identify land for acquisition begins
Chandigarh, December 1
To protect the periphery of Chandigarh from haphazard use and to develop a new place in the southern sectors, the Chandigarh Administration today started the groundwork to first pin-point about 400 acres of land in the villages of Maloya and Dadumajra — located just south-west of Sector 39 abutting Punjab — for acquisition.