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Bangalore killing: shockwaves in UT
Chandigarh, December 29
Even as various scientific institutes in the city today stepped up security following the terror attack at the Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore, last night, the family of Panjab University Professor Dr Sangeeta Arora, who is attending a similar conference at Bangalore, is thanking its stars as she is safe.

Cong mayoral candidate in cheating row
Accused of duping NRI
Chandigarh, December 29
Call it an in-house sting operation or the handiwork of the opposition candidates; a complaint is being circulated in the city accusing the Congress nominee for the post of Mayor, Mr Surinder Singh, of duping an NRI to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in a fake property deal.

FLIGHT TO NEW YEAR: Students of the Shivalik Institute of Education devise a novel way of wishing people a happy New Year by hanging a greeting card around a duck's neck in Mohali on Thursday.—Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Spurt in jaundice cases in Hallo Majra

Chandigarh, December 29 Contaminated drinking water supply from “illegal” connections and heaps of garbage dotting the entire Hallo Majra has led to a spurt in cases of viral hepatitis, commonly known as jaundice, in the village. Garbage lies scattered at Hallo Majra village where cases of jaundice have been detected by the UT Health Department. — A Tribune photograph

Monthly MC parking pass from January 1
Chandigarh, December 29
Residents of the city can avail the facilities of a monthly pass for parking of the Municipal Corporation spread all over the city from January 1, 2006 onwards. The multi system (city) parking pass is being introduced for public convenience.

Fog hits rail, road traffic
Chandigarh, December 29
Cold wave in Punjab and Haryana led to further dip in the mercury as foggy weather persisted in many parts of the north-west region today, affecting train and road traffic.

Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

Recall 2005
Property prices at an all-time high
Mohali: Close on the heels of the launch of QuarkCity in Mohali last year, 2005 began with the opening of Dell’s customer care centre here. Marking the beginning of an irreversible process of a grand line-up of IT companies in the township, QuarkCity and Dell established Mohali’s position firmly on the IT world map.

Bus stand turns into unauthorised taxis’ paradise

Dera Bassi, December 29 Constructed for the purpose of halting and parking of buses, the Dera Bassi bus stand has turned into unauthorised taxis’ paradise.With the district transport authorities turning a blind eye to this development, unauthorised taxis are having a field day in Dera Bassi. Encroachments by unauthorised taxis at the Dera Bassi bus stand in Patiala district. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Road repairs to continue: Mayor Chandigarh, December 29 The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has upgraded and repaired roads measuring 200 km in the city during the ongoing financial year against the set target of 280 km. The remaining length will be completed before the commencement of the next financial year. This was said by Ms Anu Chatrath, the outgoing Mayor, while addressing a press conference here today. The conference was called in connection with the completion of one-year term of the Mayor. She relinquishes her office on December 31. Ms Anu Chatrath, Mayor, addresses a press conference at the Municipal Corporation office in Chandigarh on Thursday. — A Tribune photograph

‘Need to change mindset to end corruption’
Mohali, December 29
There is a need to change the mindset of the people to root out corruption, which has become deep-rooted in society. These views were expressed by Dr Charankamal Singh, chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Social Development Organisation, at a press conference here today.

National Federation of Blind on warpath

Chandigarh, December 29 The convener of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Punjab and Haryana, Mr Jaage Ram, has said that the indifferent attitude of the Punjab and Haryana state governments towards their demands, has compelled them to resume their agitation. Mr Jage Ram, general secretary, Haryana state branch of the National Federation of the Blind, and Mr Rajesh Mohan, general secretary, Punjab branch, at a press conference in Chandigarh on Thursday. — A Tribune photo

Proper scheme sought for areas outside ‘phirnis’
Chandigarh, December 29
Expressing concern over the haphazard growth outside the village phirni, the sub-group on “development of villages” has suggested that a proper scheme should be evolved for the development of areas outside the village phirnis.

Calendar that speaks for dumb creatures

Shehenshah is a lion who had been beaten up and starved for days so that he would perform tricks. He had sores on his head and maggots on feet. His territory was just a cage, barely larger than his body. Thanks to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that made him a real “Shehenshah”. It has rescued him from a circus following a government ban on using lions and tigers in circuses. Today Shehenshah lives with dignity in a rescue centre along with his Rani, a lioness, who was also rescued from a circus. Many stories like this featured in the “Rescued” calendar — 2006 released by PETA to create awareness among the public towards animal welfare.

A source of inspiration for others
Panchkula, December 29
Jamil Khan of Billa village here is a perfect example of how to make the best use of schemes implemented by the government to assist the needy in taking up income-generating activities.

UT to give financial help to unemployed youth
Chandigarh, December 29
The Department of Industries, Chandigarh Administration, has invited applications from the unemployed youth seeking financial assistance for setting up their own venture so that they can become self-reliant. The assistance is meant for youth in the age group between 18 and 35 years.

New Year celebrations: cops issue warning
Chandigarh, December 29
To usher in a peaceful 2006 and keep mischief-mongers at bay, the local police sought the cooperation of organisers of New Year functions. During the meeting chaired by the UT Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) (Central and East) on Wednesday, the message of the police was loud and clear—-trouble-makers would not be spared and cops would be spread all over the city to ensure peace.

Reservation policy flayed
Mohali, December 29
Members of the Bhartiya General Samaj held a protest against the reservation policy outside the office of the SDM here today. Addressing a rally, the president of the samaj, Mr Ram Lubhaya, said for the past 57 years the reservation policy had not helped the poor sections of society.

• Forest officer’s death mourned
• Special clearance drive by RPO

CRIME

Increase in snatching, robbery cases in UT

Chandigarh, December 29 Even as the UT police failed to check organised criminal activity in the city, the overall crime rate registered a decline. Although the UT police went ga ga over its achievements statistics revealed that organised crime like snatching, burglary and robbery registered a sharp increase in 2005 as compared to that in the previous year. IGP Satish Chandra addresses mediapersons in Police Lines, Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Thursday. — A Tribune photograph

Mobile phone snatchers nabbed

Rs 3 lakh stolen from scooter
Panchkula, December 29
Cash totalling Rs 3 lakh was stolen from the glove box of a scooter parked in Sector 9 this afternoon. The victim, Mr Sohan Lal, had brought this money to buy an autorickshaw, and had gone to Partap Autos to see the three wheeler when the theft took place.

Two arrested for forgery
Mohali, December 29
Two persons were arrested by the police on charges of cheating and forgery. According to the police, the arrested persons are Jai Kiran Pal and his wife, Meera Kumari, residents of Raili village under Panchkula district. They were produced in a Kharar court and remanded in police custody for one day.

Girl sets herself on fire
Chandigarh, December 29
Frustrated at being harassed by her younger brother for food, a 16-year-old girl allegedly set herself on fire at her Daria village residence, this evening. The police said she had suffered 75 per cent burn injuries.

BUSINESS

Punjab introduces farm-bred turkey at department store

Chandigarh, December 29 The Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab, is going all out to promote turkey farming and market it as an exotic alternative to chicken. The Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Mr D S Bains today introduced turkey at M G Super Market, a departmental store in the city. Mr D.S. Bains and Mr Nikhil Mittal second and third from left, respectively, hold turkeys while introducing the bird meat at MG Super Market, Chandigarh, on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Pardeep Tewari

Bank gives personal loans of 75 lakh

EDUCATION

Need to tackle pollution hazards highlighted 
Mohali, December 29
A seminar on ‘‘Pollution Hazards: Need to Review National Policy’’ was organised by Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutions on the college campus on Saturday. Students of Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology (SVIET), Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy (SVCP), Swami Vivekanand College of Education (SVCE) and Swami Vivekanand Institute of Mass Communication, attended the seminar.

Entrance test for MD/MS from Feb 12
Chandigarh, December 29
The Controller of Examination, Panjab University, has stated that the university will be holding the entrance test for admission to MD/MS courses at Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, on February 12, 2006 (Sunday).

CULTURE

Flamenco music concert captivates audience
Chandigarh, December 29
The Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh, the French Embassy and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations(ICCR) organised a Flamenco music concert at the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana auditorium here today.

Qawwals spell magic Chandigarh, December 29 The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in collaboration with the Pracheen Kala Kendra, presented a qawwali session by Jalandhar-based BS Bali and party at the Kendra last evening. Pedro Soler (second from left) performs with Indian artistes in Chandigarh on Thursday.— Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Cultural show
Mohali, December 29
NSS volunteers of Government College here presented a cultural programme yesterday. Volunteers Naresh Kumar, Harvinder Hira, Jagtar Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Sukhvinder Singh, Mandeep Kaur and Sukhpreet Singh presented cultural items during the show.

SPORTS

Akshat, Sidharth in final
Chandigarh, December 29
Top seeded Akshat Joshi and Sidharth Singh (boys under-16) category sailed into the final of the ongoing The Fort Ramgarh YMCA Total Tennis Championship at the YMCA Total Tennis Academy, Sector 11, here today.

Abhishek shines
Chandigarh, November 29
Abhishek of Yadavindra Public School, Mohali, representing IPSC team stole the show when he helped his team to beat Rajasthan by seven wickets in the ongoing 51st National School Games (Cricket) for CK Nayadu Trophy being played at Agra.

ADMINISTRATION

Pub timings likely to be relaxed
Chandigarh, December 29
With the city being promoted as an IT destination and tourist centre, the Chandigarh Administration has initiated a move to permit the pubs and restaurants to entertain their guests till 1 am.