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Back from Delhi, Bansal gets rousing welcome
Bahl group conspicuous by absence
Chandigarh, January 30
The Union Minister of State, Finance, and local Member of Parliament arrived home this evening to a warm welcome by party leaders and supporters.

Infant’s body eaten by stray dogs found

Panchkula, January 30 Residents of Panchkula woke up to a rude shock on Monday when morning walkers in Sector 12, Panchkula, saw the body of a new born infant, eaten below the waist by stray dogs, lying near a water tank. Horrified by the sight, a morning walker called up the Panchkula police, bringing to its notice the bizarre incident. Policemen with the body of a half-eaten infant found in Sector 12, Panchkula, on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Panchkula man held for impersonating as SP

Chandigarh, January 30 The Chandigarh Police arrested a mess contractor of a private engineering college on the charges of impersonation last night. The accused, a resident of Mansa Devi Complex, was allegedly feigning to be a Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and used this “fake identity” to get his work done in various government offices.

Rajnish Verma of Panchkula, who was arrested on the charge of impersonating as a police officer, in police custody in Chandigarh on Monday.

PU students allege unhygienic food in hostels
Chandigarh, January 30
A team of students led by Panjab University Campus Student’s Council president Amandeep Singh today conducted “raids” of various hostels in the university. The raids were conducted following information that sub-standard food material was being used to cook food in these hostels.

Ex-Korean minister calls for closer ties with India

Chandigarh, January 30 Calling for closer ties between the Republic of Korea and India, a member of the Korean National Assembly and former minister of commerce, industry and energy, Mr Duck-Koo Chung, said Korea’s experience in developing its economy might give India plenty of insight for future prosperity. A member of the Korean National Assembly and former minister, Mr Duck-Koo Chung, delivers a talk at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photo

Passing Thru

CHANDIGARH CALLING Precocious papaya tree owner’s pride: Owner’s pride need not necessarily be inanimate objects. It can well be about the animate too as it is with Sanjay Ghai, a resident of Chandigarh’s Sector 21-C.

COMMUNITY

Cong councillors have pre-session meeting
Discuss transfer of 14 villages to MC
Chandigarh, January 30
The Congress today organised a pre-session meeting of its councillors, ahead of the House meeting of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, to be held tomorrow. According to sources, except for councillor Chandermukhi all attended the meeting.

Sector 34 gurdwara library goes online
Chandigarh, January 30
Students of the Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology (SSIET) have added another feather to their cap. In a unique project, five students of the institute have developed a software “Shabdkosh” to convert the library of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurudwara, Sector 34, into an online one.

Workshop on self-help groups 
Chandigarh, January 30
To acquaint Sarpanches and other representatives of U.T. villages about the importance and benefits of Self Help Groups in generating additional income for villagers, a training programme was arranged by the NABARD, Chandigarh here today.

Fauji Beat
The games that bureaucrats play

The Rashtriya Rifles, a force which was recommended to be disbanded by the Fifth Pay Commission, has bagged the maximum number of awards on Republic Day. Of the 16 Shaurya Chakras and 75 Sena Medals (Gallantry), it has won seven (including three posthumously and 39 (including 12 posthumously), respectively. Display of military might  Luring youth to defence

Students have a close look of a tank at the “Know Your Army” exhibition in Chandigarh.

Mahatma Gandhi remembered
Panchkula, January 30
Officers of the district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Brijendra Singh, today observed a two minute silence in the Mini Secretariat on the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi.

Children take out bicycle rally
Chandigarh, January 30
As many as 400 children from different schools of Chandigarh today took out a bicycle rally as part of the ongoing Oil Conservation Fortnight and to observe the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi.

Electricity employees hold protest
Chandigarh, January 30
Employees of the Electricity Department today held a protest rally before the Electricity Office, Sector 23. The rally was held in support of long-pending demands of the UT and MC employees.

CRIME

Allopathic drugs seized during raids

Mohali, January 30 Allopathic drugs were seized from two clinics in Matour village during raids while searches were carried out at a chemist shop in Phase VII by the Ropar Drug Inspector here today. A team of officials, headed by Mr Pardeep Kumar, Drug Inspector, started raids from Baba Medical Store where stocks were inspected and photocopies of some documents taken. A team headed by the Drug Controller raids a chemist’s shop at Phase-7 in Mohali on Monday. — Tribune photo by Vicky Gharu

Sexual harassment allegations against CBSE officer
Chandigarh, January 30
With a history of being mired in various controversies, the Regional Office, CBSE, Panchkula, is again in troubled waters. In a written complaint sent to the National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi, two female employees of the Regional Office have alleged sexual harassment at the work place by Mr D.R. Yadav, Regional Officer. The complaint was received by the NCW on December 26, 2005.

Fugitive arrested from PGI
Chandigarh, January 30
The Himachal Pradesh police arrested a hardcore criminal wanted in several cases of murder, attempt to murder and dacoity from the PGI, here this afternoon. Giving details of the arrest, the sources in the Sirmaur police said Harjeet Singh, was lodged in the Central Jail, Nahan, and had escaped from the custody on February 5, 2005.

Four held with 5 CPUs 
Chandigarh, January 30
The UT police’s crime branch today arrested four youngsters and claimed to have recovered five CPUs and a printer from their possession. Interestingly, two of the accused had stolen a CPU belonging to one of their group members from his house.

Human trafficking accused arrested
Panchkula, January 30
The Panchkula police has finally decided to act in the case of human trafficking, wherein a person has been allegedly bringing tribal girls from Orissa and Jharkhand, and selling them as domestic helps here.

Retired bank employee’s body found

BUSINESS

Mr Y S Guleria, Sales Head of Honda, inaugurates Jodhi Honda, new dealership of Honda Motorcycles and Scooters, in Chandigarh on Monday.

Industrial exhibition from February 10
Mohali, January 30
Mohali Industries Association (MIA) is holding Punjab Industrial Exhibition-cum-Vendor Development Programme from February 10 to 12. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Balbir Singh, president of the association, said the exhibition would be held at the MIA Bhawan in Phase-VII industrial area in collaboration with Small Industries Service Institute, Ludhiana. He said that the aim of the exhibition was to make people aware of the products that were being produced in Mohali and also to give a boost to the small scale industrial units.

EDUCATION

Prof Atal’s lecture on social change at PU
Chandigarh, January 30
Prof Yogesh Atal, a renowned social scientist and former adviser, UNESCO for social sciences in Asia and Pacific, was invited to the Department of Anthropology by Prof Indu Talwar at Panjab University campus here today.

GC-11 wins history quiz
Chandigarh, January 30
The Department of History, Government College, Sector 11, organised an Inter College Quiz on Medieval Indian History in the college hall here today. Six teams from different local colleges participated in the quiz. Prof Ashvini Aggarwal form the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology and Dean Faculty of Arts Panjab University, Chandigarh, presided over the function.

Protest march by contractual teachers

Chandigarh, January 30 As many as 350 teachers working on contractual basis in various government schools today took out a candle light march. They moved in form of a human chain in protest against the negligent attitude of the Chandigarh Administration. Members of the UT Government School Contract Teachers Association and their children paint their faces with red tears during their silent protest march against the Chandigarh Administration from Sector-23 to the Matka Chowk on Monday. — Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Gandhian Dept new building operational
Chandigarh, January 30
The first floor of the Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies and Centre for Population Research became operational at Panjab University today. The function was attended by Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University; Prof Veer Singh, Dean of University Instructions; Dr Sodhi Ram, Controller of Examinations; several members of the Panjab University Senate’ the faculty and students of the university.

Alumni’s annual get-together Panchkula, January 30 It was a nostalgic experience for alumni of St Joseph’s Convent School, Bathinda who got together for their annual get-together at the Chandigarh Club here on January 28. A large number of ex-Josephites, including those posted in far-off places attended the meet. A group photo of members of the Old Students Association of St. Joseph’s School, Bathinda.

Teachings of Gandhi eulogised
Chandigarh, January 30
GMSSS, Sector 8, organised various events to mark the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. Students of classes XI and XII--- Akansha, Parvinder Kaur, Preeti and Narinder kaur---gave speeches on the life, philosophy and teachings of Gandhiji. Dimple recited a poem entitled "Main laut kar phir aaoonga".

CULTURE

Sankalp Trust screens film on BSF
Chandigarh, January 30
Sankalp Charitable Foundation Trust, an NGO, today released its first magazine and organised a premiere of ‘Sarhad Ke Rakshak’, a film on the Border Security Force (BSF). An initiative taken by the young and the enterprising, the NGO aims to work for the underprivileged with the issues of child labour, illiteracy and female foeticide, informed Pancham Bhatia, Vice-President of the NGO.

An evening of Punjabi songs
Chandigarh, January 28
Centre for Carnival Arts and the Department of Tourism, Chandigarh Administration, today presented an evening of Punjabi songs by singer Sabar Koti and Group at the plaza. Some of the songs like ‘Rnajha Ranjha’, Gulabo, Toon Resham Di Dori, Yaad and others enthralled the audience.

HEALTH

Need of EBM for better treatment stressed
Chandigarh, January 30
Evidence based medicine (EBM) is the new buzzword in the medical fraternity the world over and India, realising the benefits accruing from it, is pioneering its introduction in South-East Asian countries.

PGI rated second best hospital
Chandigarh, January 30
PGIMER has been rated as the second best hospital and also the second best institute in postgraduate medical education in India by The Week-TNS survey, in the February 5 issue of the magazine, The Week.

Leprosy rate has come down: DHS

Chandigarh, January 30 District Leprosy Society held a function at the Family Welfare Bureau, Community Health Centre, Sector 22, here today. The function was held to mark Anti-Leprosy Day and as a mark of respect to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who worked for tirelessly upliftment of the leprosy patients.

Volunteers of District Leprosy Society at a function organised to mark Anti-Leprosy Day at community health centre, Sector 22, in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Interaction with PHL stars
Chandigarh, January 30
ESPN and Star Sports organised the ‘Learning Grounds’ workshop at the Shivalik Public School with a view to motivate budding sports talent in the country. Premier Hockey League (PHL) stars Balder Bomans, Sandeep Singh and Inderjit Singh Chadha were the chief guests.

Workshop by ESPN, Star Sports
Chandigarh, January 30
The Learning Ground Workshop was held in the auditorium of Shivalik Public School today. The workshop, a collaboration of ESPN and Star Sports, will motivate budding sports talent in the country. The event was graced by PHL stars, Baldes Bomans, Sandeep Singh and Inderjit Singh Chadha.

MTNL storm into TT final
Chandigarh, January 30
U.M.Marathe and Malti Mahadevan (MTNL-Maharashtra) thrashed S. Jhansi Rani and B. Devi of Tamil Nadu in a straight set defeat 11-6, 11-8, 13-11 in the women doubles’ semifinal of the All India BSNL Table Tennis Tournament held at Sector 23 Table Tennis Hall, here, today. Under the veterans’ category (singles), A.M. Warunkar (MTNL, Maharashtra) toppled B.S. Waghela of Gujarat 11-9, 11-4, 11-6.

Anee’s School sports day Mohali, January 30 Anee's School, Sector 69, Mohali, celebrated sports day on January 28. The function commenced with the speech of the sports captain followed by a marchpast led by different house captains. There were three- legged, 100 mts, relay and sack races. Students also participated in high jumps and long jumps. Winners are awarded at the sports day of Anee's School, Sector 69, Mohali, on Saturday.

Saint Soldier International School’s cycle rally
Chandigarh, January 30
Students of Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28-B, Chandigarh, participated in a cycle rally organised by the Chandigarh Healthy Heart Action Project (CHHAP), Health Department of Chandigarh, and Department of Community Medicine, Cardiology and Internal Medicine.

Ranji one-day probables
Mohali, January 30
A total of 19 probables have been selected for the camp, organised by the Punjab Cricket Association for the forthcoming North Zone Ranji-One-day matches to be held at Delhi from February 12 to 21.

Members of the Table Soccer Federation of India with Mr Farid Lounas, president, International Table Soccer Federation, (fourth from left) who was recently in Chandigarh to promote the sport.

Hockey stadium to have ‘techno gym’
Chandigarh, January 30
Hockey stadium, Sector 42, is all set to have a new gymnasium. The “Techno Gym” with advanced strength-training equipment will be available for use in two weeks. Mr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director, Sports, said, “The equipment being installed is rated as one of the best in the world”. It has been imported from Italy at a cost of Rs 70 lakh. Since it is a “bio-strength gym”, it automatically senses the strength of the person using it and adjusts the resistance accordingly, thereby enabling players of all ages to use it. It also allows training of specific muscles at proper angles.

Rajinder Kaur of PU wins double gold
Chandigarh, January 30
Rajinder Kaur of Panjab University bagged double gold medal in 1 km (massed start) and 3 km (individual pursuit) events during the All-India Inter-university Cycling (Women) Championship for the session 2005-06, held at Punjabi University, Patiala, from January 25 to 29.

Handball trials on Feb 1

ADMINISTRATION

Traffic police suspends licences
Chandigarh, January 30
The Chandigarh traffic police has recommended the suspension of driving licences of three habitual offenders under Section 19 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, for a period of one to three months from February 1, 2006.