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PM arrives 25 minutes before schedule
Chandigarh, April 13
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today created a record of sorts by landing 25 minutes before schedule unlike former Prime Ministers.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being greeted at the Chandigarh airport by Congress leaders Ambika Soni, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his Haryana counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

PM cautions nation about excessive privatisation in health sector
Chandigarh, April 13
Cautioning the nation about excessive privatisation of the health sector, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said there was a possibility that this might widen the gap between healthcare services provided to the rich and the poor in the country.

PGI union unable to meet PM Cong members divided over DC’s extension, meet PM Rodrigues wants DC to stay on Traders ask PM for balanced rent Act PM assures succour to varsity teachers Valmiki Sabha seeks help over SC issues Five Dalits held during PM’s visit
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh greets audience at the annual convocation of the PGI on Wednesday while the Union Health Minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, looks on. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahanjan

Defence Minister to visit PU today
Chandigarh, April 13
Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee is coming to Panjab University on Thursday to deliver Dr V.N. Tewari Memorial Oration on "Peace Perspectives in South and South East Asia — Challenges and Opportunities". The lecture will be delivered at the English Auditorium.

Tortured over dowry, pregnant woman sets herself afire
Mullanpur Garibdass, April 13
A 24-year-old pregnant woman tried to immolate herself allegedly following torture by her mother-in-law. The victim, Geeta, who was to deliver next week, has lost her child and is struggling for life at the PGI with over 70 per cent burns.

US award given posthumously to Neerja Bhanot
Chandigarh, April 13
At a simple but impressive ceremony held at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, Chandigarh-born Neerja Bhanot was posthumously awarded the 'Justice for Crimes Award'. The award was presented as part of the Annual Crime Rights Week.

Dry leaves keep Fire Brigade on the run
Chandigarh, April 13
Piles of dry leaves in the city keep Fire Brigade engines on the run. In the past 14 days, the city has witnessed at least 18 cases where the fire engines had to be rushed to extinguish the rising flames in different pats of the city which posed threat to the immediate surroundings.

A common sight of dry leaves strewn on the city roads and berms in Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Carry forward Ambedkar’s legacy, says Governor
Chandigarh, April 13
The Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), has advocated the launching of a crusade against discrimination due to caste and creed as envisaged by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the main architect of the Constitution.

Public holiday today
Chandigarh, April 13
The Central Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, has declared April 14 as a public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, on account of the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Passing Thru: Vipul Motani, Director, Delta Lens

COMMUNITY

Of ripe crops, bhangra, gaiety and thanksgiving
It is harvesting season in many parts of the country. This is the time you see the fields in the countryside swaying to the winds. Nature is in full bloom. Several festivals coincide with the harvest time and Baisakhi is one of them.

UT fails to follow Punjab pattern
Chandigarh, April 13
Even as Punjab took the administratively bold step of opening all its offices and establishments on Baisakhi and also on Ambedkar Jayanti, the Chandigarh Administration has gone ahead and closed its offices for two days.

PWD forgets to construct bridge promised 2 years ago
Chandigarh, April 13
It was in June 2003, when the Punjab PWD Minister laid the foundation stone of a vital bridge over Patiala Ki Rao, connecting Chandigarh with Nada, Sheonk, Jyanti Majri and other villages in the Shivalik Hills.

A cyclist walks through Patiala Ki Rao choe as the bridge connecting Nayagaon with Nada village has been inundated. — A Tribune photograph

Chhattisgarh Governor to open seminar
Chandigarh, April 13
The Governor of Chhattisgarh, Lt Gen K.M. Seth (retd) will inaugurate a media seminar at the Academy for a Better World, Gyan Sarovar, Mount Abu in Rajasthan, on April 27. The four-day seminar is likely to be attended by participants from all over India.

Truck falls into ditch, 1 dead
Chandigarh, April 13
One person died on the spot and 13 others were injured after a tractor fell into a ditch along the Ramgarh-Naraingarh highway, following brake failure.

CRIME

Police raids to nab ASI
Mohali, April 13
Raids have been conducted by the police to nab an ASI who fled from police custody yesterday. Mr Harpreet Singh, DSP, has sent a report recommending the suspension of two cops who had been charged with corruption.

Woman succumbs to accident injuries
Chandigarh, April 13
A 47-year-old woman succumbed to accident injuries last night at the PGI. She was admitted to the hospital with multiple injuries after she was hit by a car near Mata Sheetala Devi Mandir, Mani Majra, in the morning.

Man caught stealing scooters
Chandigarh, April 13
One person was caught while stealing objects from SD College, Sector 32, while two scooters were stolen from the city, the police said here today.

Fake postal stamp in circulation
Chandigarh, April 13
A local stamp collector, Mr Rakesh Walia, has found a stamp which is in circulation despite the stamp not being released.

A stamp in circulation despite not being released officially.

One arrested in fraud case
Mohali, April 13
The police has arrested one person on a charge of cheating and criminal breach of trust here today.

Woman held for cheating villagers
Mullanpur Garibdass, April 13
Vidya Vati, a 35-year-old resident of a village near here was arrested by the police on a charge of cheating residents of Sarangpur village.

BUSINESS

Austrian energy drink launched in city
Chandigarh, April 13
A drink that gives you a burst of sprightly energy with all the goodness of clear spring water from the Austrian Alps! Claiming pep vigour, FullPower, the Austrian energy drink, was launched in Chandigarh today at the Shivalikview Hotel.

First mobile technology show
Chandigarh, April 13
‘MOBILETEK 2005’, the first of its kind technology event in the city, will provide unique platform where telecom operators and service, material and content providers relevant to the industry, will meet under one roof to outline the future of mobile technology in India.

PNB celebrates foundation day
Panchkula, April 13
The Punjab National Bank Zonal Audit Office, Panchkula, celebrated its 111th foundation day, here today.

EDUCATION

PEC comes into ‘Element 05’
Chandigarh, April 13
“Element 05,” the cultural extravaganza of Punjab Engineering College, got off to a colorful start today.

Beauty and brawn: For these two students it was time for a show of strength at an arms wrestling match during PEC Fest in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

Bal Niketan children’s day out
Chandigarh, April 13
Chuckling with delight, a twinkle in their eyes and Ronald McDonald at their side—the day for children of Panchkula’s Bal Niketan, an orphanage, came packed with a lot of excitement, a dash of magic and a “happy meal” as the staff at McDonald’s, Fun Republic, played perfect hosts to their special guests.

90 women get diploma certificates
Mohali, April 13
More than 90 women were issued diploma certificates and prizes during a function organized by the Guru Nanak Dev handicrafts and allied institute here today. The function was held under the aegis of the St. Jodh Sachiar Social Development Council, Punjab.

Students at a function organised by the Guru Nanak Dev Handicrafts and Allied Institute in Mohali on Wednesday.

Wise mind compassionate heart — hallmark of Bhavan kids
Founded in 1983 by the then Governor of Punjab, Mr Jai Sukhlal Hathi on the vision and principles of late Dr. K.M. Munshi, the school belongs to the larger fraternity of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, a nationally and internationally acclaimed organisation with 171 branches in India and seven centres abroad.

A view of the school

Now an education mall
Chandigarh, April 13
After the success of shopping malls, the city is on the probable list of promoters of education mall.

PUSU activists stage dharna
Chandigarh, April 13
Students of ME, of Chemical Engineering Department and M Pharma of the Pharmacy Department, Panjab University led by PUSU president Amandeep Singh sat on a dharna in front of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr K.N. Pathak’ s office to present the pending demand of outstanding scholarship.

LEISURE

Pre-Partition litho press gets new life at Art College
Government Art College, Sector 10, is flaunting a rare display these days.

Print making students of Government Art College, Sector 10, learn to use the new litho press which dates back to Lahore Art College days. The press was recently assembled by the college authorities who claim it is one of the largest presses in the country. — Tribune photo by Pankaj Sharma

A show of music and colours at Fun Republic
Keeping the tradition of Baisakhi celebration alive, Fun Republic at Mani Majra again hosted a massive show of colours and music this evening. In command of the celebrations was the famed team “Rangla Punjab” which has to its credit several presentations, including those at the PCA, Mohali, during the cricket season.

Dolly Guleria regales senior citizens
“Dene waale mujhe maujon ki ravaani de de, phir se ikk baar mujhe meri jawani de de..” If not for ever, at least for some time, the intoxicating strains of soulful songs by leading Punjabi singer Dolly Guleria rejuvenated senior citizens of Panchkula as they clapped and danced to her enchanting spell unmindful of their old age.

HEALTH

GMCH-32 to accept eye donations round the clock
Chandigarh, April 13
The eye bank at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, has started a round-the-clock facility for receiving confirmations regarding eye donations. Doctors in charge of this service will be on duty for 24 hours and in case of calls regarding donation of eyes, hospital vehicles would be made available to retrieve eyes.

SPORTS

Sports complex cries for upgradation
Chandigarh, April 13
Despite producing players of national and international repute in volleyball, athletics and basketball, the Sports Complex at Sector 46, cries for attention to overhaul the existing infrastructure.

Repair work being carried out at the volleyball court in the Sports Complex, Sector 46, Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pravesh Chauhan

Rural sports mela in full swing
Chandigarh, April 13
On the second day of the three-day rural sports mela ‘Vishaal Pendu Khed Mela” held at Dr B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, Khuda Ali Sher village today, volleyball and kabaddi tournaments in various categories were held.

Sports day organised
Mohali, April 13
Students of the primary wing of Sanjay Public School, Sector-70, here today showed their prowess when they took part in their Sports day. The young ones put up an impressive display of their athletic abilities. They presented action songs and musical drills. The children put on get ups of sun flower. This was followed by the races, where the young ones of the school exhibited their skills and ran with enthusiasm.

Mixed luck for seeded players
Chandigarh, April 13
Seeded players for singles in various age groups had mixed luck in the quarterfinals of the All India Tennis Association Talent Series Tennis Tournament that held at Lake Club, Sector 6, here today.

Saadgi Rajani of Gujarat returns a shot during AITA talent series at the Lake Club, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

City lad in junior Davis Cup team
Chandigarh, April 13
A local boy Kinshuk Sharma will be representing India in the Junior Davis Cup championships to be held next month in Manila from May 2 to 7.

Derabassi ‘A’ team win cricket tourney
Panchkula, April 13
The Derabassi “A” team beat the ISLL HO team by 38 runs in the finals of 2nd Anil Jain Memorial Cricket Tournament, played at Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Sector -3, Panchkula, here today.

Tennis players Sahiba and Vikrant visit CLTA
Chandigarh, April 13
Tennis players Sahiba Chadha and Vikrant Chadha visited the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Complex, Sector 10, here today to have interaction with budding players. This brother-sister duo has won many titles.

Saadgi Rajani of Gujarat returns a shot during AITA talent series at the Lake Club, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Shivam Khurana to lead under-15 team
Chandigarh, April 13
Shivam Khurana will lead Chandigarh district under-15 cricket team in the Punjab Inter District Cricket Tournament starting from April 15. On the opening day of the tournament, Chandigarh will face Ludhiana at DAV Coaching Centre, Sector 8, Chandigarh.

ADMINISTRATION

DC removes stay on development work
Mohali, April 13
The stay imposed on various estimates relating to development works of the Municipal Council here has been removed by the Ropar Deputy Commissioner on a temporary basis. Various works worth Rs 70 lakh had been put on hold for the past many months.