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Facilities to Burail inmates withdrawn
Chandigarh, January 24
All luxuries — room heater, television, music system, indoor games, special food, water purifier — provided to the remaining six alleged assassins of Beant Singh have been withdrawn. In fact, the jail authorities have withdrawn such facilities to all inmates.

Tunnel dug with special tools, says fireman
Beefy cook helped them dig tunnel
When tunnel was passed off as caved-in flower-bed

Hawara may try to get Bhullar freed, says Bitta
Chandigarh, January 24
Beant Singh murder accused Jagtar Singh Hawara and others may try and get Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, presently lodged in Tihar Jail, released to provide “operational machinery to the Khalistan ideology.”

• Hawara had offered help to Pak spy

Beant case witness moves court for security cover
Chandigarh, January 24
Just 48 hours after three accused in Punjab’s former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination case made their way out of Burail Jail, key witness Balwinder Singh today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court to further fortify the security cover.

Spot evaluation by third examiner okayed
Chandigarh, January 24
Aimed at hastening the declaration of the revaluation results for various examinations held by Panjab University, the Syndicate today approved spot evaluation of answersheets by the third examiner.

VSM for 3 BRD chief
Chandigarh, January 24
The Air Officer Commanding, No.3 Base Repair Depot, Air Cmde S.P.S. Virk has been decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), while his predecessor, Air Cmde S.B. Prashar (retd) has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).

COMMUNITY

Southern Naval Command shows interest in helpline
Chandigarh, January 24
The success of the Ex-Servicemen's Helpline (ESH) at Chandi Mandir has attracted officers from the Southern Naval Command, who visited the helpline recently to study its concept and functioning and gauge the possibility of establishing a similar organisation in South India.

44 residents to be honoured on R-Day
Mohali, January 24
More than 500 students from 15 schools in the town will participate in the Republic Day celebrations this year, where the chief guest, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, will honour 44 residents for their achievements. Those who will be honoured include the DSP, Mohali, SMO, Kharar, Fire officer, Mohali, Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Mohali, avid blood donors and some industrialists, MC employees, teachers and students.

Women cops of the Chandigarh Police rehearse for the Republic Day Parade in bright sunshine at Parade Ground, Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Rain to benefit rabi crops
Chandigarh, January 24
Barring hailstorm in isolated pockets, moderate to light rain today lashed the Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh region. Agricultural experts claimed that the rain would help rabi crops, including wheat, mustard, barley, gram and pulses, besides saving power worth crores of rupees.

Sun brings cheer
Chandigarh, January 24
After three days of intermittent rainfall the city residents today woke up to a bright sunny day, bringing the much-needed respite from the cold wave. Thanks to the sunny conditions the day temperature went up to 17.6 degree celsius, three degree below normal.

Warm send-off for Gen Mehta
Chandigarh, January 24
An informal “At Home” was hosted by the Chief of Staff, Western Command, Lieut-Gen P.K. Grover, and other officers to bid adieu to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieut Gen S.S. Mehta and his wife, Ms Madhu Mehta. General Mehta is scheduled to retire on January 31 after putting in about 40 years of service.

Rooting literature in realism Chandigarh, January 24 A translation of celebrated Punjabi writer Mohan Bhandari’s collection of short stories was released here today. Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill (retd) and Dr Rana Nayyar (right), on the occasion of the release of “The Eye of a Doe”, a collection of short stories by Punjabi litterateur Mohan Bhandari (left), at State Library, Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Three to get “Himachal Gaurav Sanman”
Chandigarh, January 24
The Tribune Employees HP Helpline Cultural and Welfare Society, Chandigarh, is organising its third annual “Parivar Milan” and a cultural programme on January 26 at Tagore Theatre at 9.30 a.m.

Senior citizens’ day out
Chandigarh, January 24
The Chandigarh Industries and Tourism Corporation, as a part of the Republic Day celebrations, held a function for senior citizens in a unique manner at a function held at the Lake Club here today. The occasion witnessed a gathering of nearly 250 “young men and women”, in the age group ranging above 60 years.

Commercial  tenants ‘frustrated lot’
Chandigarh, January 24
The Property Owners Welfare Association today said the step taken by the Commercial Tenants' Association to move the High Court was out of “frustration”. This had been taken after a number of futile protests, bandhs and fasts.

Readers Write
Not the place for the sensitive
This has reference to the news item (Chandigarh Tribune, January 18) ‘Noise pollution levels cross permissible limits’ by Aditi Tandon. The table of noise pollution is a cause of great concern and thought-provoking. 

CRIME

9 bottles of country-made liquor seized

BUSINESS

50 entrepreneurs attend SSI meet

EDUCATION

SK Sharma is DUI
Chandigarh, January 24
Prof S.K. Sharma of the Department of Chemical Engineering, the senior-most professor at Panjab University, was appointed Dean University Instruction (DUI) while the appointment of the officiating Finance and Development Officer (FDO), Mr AR Bhandari, was regularised at the Panjab University Syndicate meeting here today

387 schools apply for affiliation
Mohali, January 24
As many as 387 schools from different areas of Punjab have applied for affiliation to the Punjab School Education Board. Last year the figure was 257. Ms Veena Dada, in charge of the affiliation branch of the board, said out of the schools that had applied for affiliation, 60 were rejected at the initial stage.

St John’s School wins national quiz contest

Chandigarh, January 24 St John's School emerged as the winner in the second All-India Inter-School Euro Enviro Quiz-2004 held here today. Students from nine schools of the city participated in the quiz organised by the Eureka Forbes Institute of Environment. Students appreciate a model at an exhibition organised on the concluding day of ‘Health Week’ observed by Stepping Stones School in Chandigarh on Saturday.—  A Tribune photograph

60 models displayed at science exhibition
Dera Bassi, January 24
Over 60 models were displayed by students of Col V.R. Mohan D.A.V. Public School, Dera Bassi, at a science exhibition organised on the school premises here today. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr Avtar Singh, director of a leading pharmaceutical company.

Students show the way in cleanliness

Panchkula, January 24 Disseminating the message “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, students of Dikshant International School, Zirakpur, today organised a cleanliness drive here. Armed with brooms, dusters and other articles, students removed trash and distributed pamphlets among the people. Students of Dikshant International School, Zirakpur, during a cleanliness drive in Sector 7, Panchkula, on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

IT seminar organised

Chandigarh, January 24 A seminar on ‘‘Gateway to information technology’’ was organised at Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh, by the BBA and BCA departments of the college on Saturday. Students and teachers presented papers on cyber crime and emergence of oracle. A seminar on ‘‘Gateway to information technology’’ in progress at Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh.

Tiny tots celebrate Basant

COURTS

121 challan cases disposed of

CULTURE

Basant Utsav opens on wings of colour Beckoning spring: Students from various city schools enjoy kite flying at the inauguration of the three-day Basant Utsav at Leisure Valley in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

I am not the man framed, explains Mangal Dhillon
Chandigarh January 24
Actor-filmmaker Mangal Dhillon has been extremely disturbed eversince the name of his namesake surfaced in the infamous illegal human trafficking cases some time back. Out of the country to screen shows of his films on Sikhism, Mangal Dhillon said he had suffered no end on account of reports that mentioned the arrest and illegal activities of one Mangal Singh Dhillon, actually an NRI.

Film Review
A high-voltage thriller

Director Raj Kumar Santoshi’s latest offering “Khakee” is an out-and-out thriller. There are several sub-plots dexterously interwoven, with each having a riveting spin. Every actor in this jam-packed tale finds space for self-assertion and Santoshi has managed to extract good performances from the cast. Amitabh Bachchan and Tusshar Kapoor in “Khakee”

Dance contest awards
Chandigarh, January 24
A dance competition “dancer of the year” was organised by the Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts (CIPA) at Government Polytechnic College for Women, Sector 10. Mrs Usha Mahajan, Principal of the college, was the chief guest.

LIFESTYLE

Sale season is here for the taking
The season of loot is on. For all yuppies, who’ve been waiting for the end- of- the- season sales, to stock Preity Zinta’s coats and Rani Mukherjee’s asymmetrical skirts a la Chalte- Chalte, the sale season is on at full swing.

Saying it with imported chocolates
You have been saying it with chocolates ever since dad started giving you pocket money. So many times you have presented “fruit and nut” to friends on Chocolate Day. You have also made amends with white chocolates. Gifted them to close ones on their weddings.

Festive spirit ahead of Republic Day
I’m proud to be an Indian- how many of the city residents echo this sentiment on the occasion of Republic Day? Well, quite a few of them actually celebrate Republic Day with as much gusto as they would celebrate any religious festival. And why not, they ask? Religion has been considered over and above nationalism, but we choose to bring them on a par.

Unique MP handicrafts on display

The unique heritage of handlooms and handicrafts from Madhya Pradesh are up for grabs at Mrignaynee exhibition at Lajpat Rai Bhavan. A unit of Madhya Pradesh Hastshilp Evam Hathkargha Vikas Nigam, Mrignaynee, has facilitated the creations of master craftsmen from the central state to reach the art lovers in the city here. A visitor is shown a Ganesha idol at an exhibition of handicrafts from Madhya Pradesh at Lajpat Rai Bhavan in Chandigarh.

It’s my life
I love to perform
You must have seen me on the small screen. Yes, I am the one who has acted in so many Punjabi music videos. I am not a professional actor. And as of now, I do not have any plans to take up acting as a career. I act because I love performing. I succeeded because I was determined to win.

HEALTH

Rare honour
Another feather in his cap
Chandigarh, January 24
Padmashree Dr K.S. Chugh, a renowned nephrologist is the only Indian doctor whose life history will be documented along with 100 other medical professionals the world over, by the International Society of Nephrology under its "Video Legacy Project".

Pathologist on a mission
Chandigarh, January 24
“A serious ethical debate which looks at a culturally and morally acceptable solution to put an end to the unsavoury organ scam is the only way to tide over the problem of small pool of organ donors in India,” remarked Dr Kim Solez, Professor, Pathology, University of Alberta, Canada.

SPORTS

Chandigarh, January 24 The Gurukul School, Sector 20, Panchkula, has bagged the overall trophy in the First Kalpana Chawla Memorial Open Karate Championship held at the Sports Complex, in Sector 3, Panchkula. Mr Ashwani Kumar, City Magistrate was the chief guest. |Gymnasts of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, Chandigarh, who were honoured at a function held on Saturday.

ADMINISTRATION

Vehicle thefts alarm Advisory Council
Chandigarh, January 24
The Burail jail break case figured prominently at the Administrator’s Advisory Council-law and order sub-committee meeting held here today. The members of the committee were of the view that contractors of paid parking lots in the city should be made accountable for vehicle thefts.

Seven post offices identified for sale of coins
Chandigarh, January 24
The Postal Department has identified at least seven post offices in the city for the sale of coins. The infrastructure required at the selected outlets has been put in place by the Postal Department. This was stated by the Chief Postmaster General, Punjab, Mr L.K. Puri.