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Holiday confusion marks Id
Chandigarh, October 24
Confusion played spoilsport on Id-ul-Fitr holiday today. Unaware that the Central Government, the Chandigarh Administration and the Haryana Government had declared the Id holiday today, hundreds of employees reported for work in various offices today, and could not make the most of their holiday.

Muslims offer namaz at the Sector 20 mosque in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Holiday in city schools today
Chandigarh, October 24
All government schools of Chandigarh will remain closed tomorrow on account of Id-ul-Fitr. Holiday has been declared to compensate for an education survey conducted by teachers in the city early this month. — TNS

India beat Pak in ticket game
Chandigarh, October 24
While the PCA authorities are finding it difficult to sell tickets for the ICC Champions Trophy matches scheduled to be played at the PCA stadium in Mohali on October 25 and 27, the scenario is exactly the opposite for the India-Australia match scheduled for October 29.

Widow leaves newborn son to die
Chandigarh, October 24
It was the name tag that brought a tragedy to the fore. A couple found an abandoned newborn male child lying near the wall of the Golf Club in Sector 26 here this evening. The police later identified and arrested his mother, a widow, on the charge of deserting her baby.

PGI fee counter closure adds to patients’ pain
Chandigarh, October 24
Hundreds of attendants accompanying patients from far-flung areas have been put to great hardship following the closure of a fee counter at the Emergency OPD of the PGI for the past couple of days.

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COMMUNITY

Soiled in blood by the roadside Panchkula, October 24 Flies covered her from head to toe, a blood-splattered wound on her leg was a gory picture, and there was not enough clothing on her as she lay soiled in mud and blood by the roadside. Horrific as it may sound, this unidentified woman lay for hours on the Ramgarh-Barwala road before she was spotted by a passerby who was kind enough to inform the police. For a change, the police acted promptly and even organised water and clothing for the woman. An unidentified woman lying on the Ramgarh-Barwala road is helped by the police on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Army evaluating miniature detectors
Chandigarh, October 24
In the face of ever-growing threat of subversion and constant deployment in low intensity conflict, the Army is evaluating miniature, remote "substance detectors" capable of sniffing out explosives, narcotics and other substances.

Widow alleges harassment by police informer
Panchkula, October 24
A widow staying in Old Panchkula here today alleged that a police informer staying in her neighbourhood ransacked her kerosene depot and fled with Rs 7,200 and nine ration cards last night. He also threw stones and bricks at her, she alleged.

NORKA recognises Mohali unit of Malayalee Samajam
Mohali, October 24
The local unit of the Malayalee Samajam has recently been recognised by NORKA (Non-Resident Keralites Association), Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department, Government of Kerala, on the onset of the closing ceremony of the 50th Kerala Piravi (Kerala Formation) day falling in November.

Gold palanquin donated at Mansa Devi shrine

Panchkula, October 24 A staunch devotee of Mata Mansa Devi, Mr Vishnu Goyal today chose to express his unflinching faith and love for the goddess by donating a gold-clad palanquin for her at the Mansa Devi shrine this morning. The Haryana Chief Minister’s wife, Ms Asha Hooda, and Mr Vishnu Goyal at the installation of the golden palki at the Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Zoos to have vulture breeding centres
Chandigarh, October 24
In the wake of rapid vulture deaths, leading to the scavengers’ near extinction in the Indian subcontinent, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has now decided that vulture breeding programmes will be launched in various zoos across the country.

Aerospace olympiad to be held in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, October 24
As many as 14 school teams from all over the country would be participating in the first ever National Aerospace Olympiad, being organised by the Chandigarh chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) in the city from October 26-28.

Hans lays stress on principles of Sikhism

Chandigarh, October 24 Sikh politics cannot maintain a separate identity by staying away from the principles of Sikhism. This was stated by renowned Punjabi scholar, academician and author of several books, Dr Surjit Hans, during a book release function of his recent publication “Sada Sahit te Dharam” held  at Sector 26 Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, here today.

Dr Surjit Hans at the release of his book “Sada Sahit te Dharam” at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

Man alleges police inaction
Chandigarh, October 24
If the allegations of a Mani Majra resident, whose daughter was thrashed by a woman constable of the Chandigarh Police, are to be believed then it means that the local police prefers to go rather ‘slow’ in proceeding against erring cops.

Face-to-face with Punjabi litterateur
Chandigarh, October 24 Kayanat Arts organised an interactive programme with Punjabi litterateur Amarjit Singh at Uttam Complex here yesterday. Amarjit Singh had been the founder Editor of leading Punjabi magazine, Aks, published from New Delhi for the past 31 years. He discussed varied perspectives of proliferation of good literature through magazines. He also highlighted financial constraints faced by such publications.

Rs 20 crore honorarium for Nambardars
Chandigarh, October 24
The Punjab Government has released Rs 20.03 crore for the payment of honorarium to 33,397 Nambardars of the state during the current financial year. This honorarium of Rs 500 per month would be paid from April 1.

Forensic team inspects gutted battle tank
Panchkula, October 24
A team of the Forensic Department today collected samples from the Army battle tank on display at Shankla Chowk, Sector 2, here today. The tank caught fire on the Diwali night and it took 50 minutes for the firemen to douse the flames.

Annkut celebrated with fervour

Chandigarh, October 24 Sree Goverdhan Puja Annkut Mahotsav at Gaudiya Math in Sector 20 here yesterday. Starting with “yaam kirtan” at 4.45 am and “mangla arti” at 5.15 am, hundreds of devotees took out a huge “prabhat pheri” in Sector 20. Devotees at Chaitanya Gaudiya Math in Sector 20, Chandigarh, on the occasion of “Sree Goverdhan Puja Annkut Mahotsav” on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Sai Baba devotees visit city temple
Chandigarh, October 24
As many as 73 physically challenged devotees from Jyoti Seva Sangh, Vasai in Maharashtra, visited the Shirdi Sai Temple in Sector 29 during their annual tour here yesterday.

CRIME

Sector 47 burglary cases solved; 1 held
Chandigarh, October 24
With the arrest of a Burail resident the local police yesterday claimed to have solved two cases of burglaries committed in shops in Sector 47 in the past two months. The police said eight stolen mobile phones and other electronic appliances were recovered from the person arrested in this connection.

‘Tortured’ by cops, youth lands in PGI
Chandigarh, October 24
Naresh Kumar, a 16-year-old youth from Morinda, who was allegedly tortured by the police, was tonight admitted to the PGI here. Naresh was allegedly picked by officials of the Morinda police station on allegations of selling narcotics and booked under the NDPS Act. However, today Naresh was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Morinda, in a serious condition. Seeing his condition, he was referred to the PGI by doctors.

Man injured in freak accident
Chandigarh, October 24
A 60-year-old man crushed his leg under the wheels of a truck when the driver was reversing the vehicle unmindful of the fact that someone was sleeping behind it. The truck driver shifted the victim to the PGI in an unconscious state and sped from there.

JE held taking bribe Mohali, October 24 A Junior Engineer (JE), Kulwant Singh, working with PUDA was arrested by officials of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau here today after he was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000. Mr Gurmel Singh, DSP, who headed the raiding team, said a contractor, Mr Diwan Singh, had complained that the JE was allegedly demanding a bribe for releasing a part of the remaining payment. Mr Diwan Singh worked as a contractor for the horticulture wing of PUDA and had carried out some development work in the Neighbourhood Park, Sector 64 . He was given only a part of the payment and the remaining amount was not being released. Junior Engineer Kulwant Singh with a Vigilance official in Mohali on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

Man duped of Rs 45 lakh
Chandigarh, October 24
A city resident was allegedly duped by a Mumbai-based filmmaker of Rs 45 lakh. The money was taken by the filmmaker as a loan. Sources in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Chandigarh Police said Mr Sham Darshan Jaswal of Sector 33-A had lodged a compliant alleging that Mohinder Dhaliwal of Mumbai had taken a loan of Rs 45 lakh from him for making a film about two years ago.

BUSINESS

MoD creates 100-cr fund to promote small, medium enterprises

Chandigarh, October 24 The Ministry of Defence has created a Rs 100 crore fund to promote small and medium enterprises for participation in defence industry. This was stated by Mr T. Ramachandru, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (MoD), while speaking at an interactive session on Private Participation in Defence Industry, organised by the CII Chandigarh Council here today. He said this fund had been created on the recommendations of the Kelkar Committee to support small and medium industry. A cap of Rs 5 crore had been kept for a single unit.

Mr T. Ramachandru addressing delegates at a seminar to promote private sector in defence sector, at the CII, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — A Tribune photo

CULTURE

Captivating sitar recital by Hungarian ensemble

Chandigarh, October 24 The world-known Hungarian ensemble, the Calcutta Trio, presented a soulful sitar recital at the auditorium of the Guru Gobind Singh College for Girls here today. The event organised by the college, in association with the Indian Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries, was a part of the old college students meet. This was stated by Dr Rupinder Kaur, coordinator. The event, organised by the Indian National Theatre Society annually for the past 29 years without a break, has brought legends like Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandharva, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Kishori Amonkar, Parveen Sultana and others to the city. Hungarian instrumental ensemble, the Calcutta Trio, present sitar recital at Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College for Women in Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan from Oct 27
Chandigarh, October 24
Art lovers in the city will be treated to a three-day melodic session of classical music during the annual Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan which will begin from October 27 at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium here.

HEALTH

Chinks in PGI security
Chandigarh, October 24
The PGI authorities seem to have no system in place to check impersonators who can pose a serious security threat to this premier health institute of the region. Yesterday’s incident of a youth posing as a doctor and barging into the gynaecology ward has exposed chinks in the security of the PGI.

Buchanan not taking India lightly
Shane Watson hospitalised
Chandigarh, October 24
“India has a sound top batting order and with players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, there could be no second thought about it. Above all, India has the privilege of home ground also”, said Australian coach John Buchanan after a practice session of the team at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium here today. The team practised for about three hours.

SPORTS

Police to put up boards around stadium

Mohali, October 24 Information boards displaying the list of things that will not be allowed inside the stadium will be put at parking areas as part of security arrangements during the ICC Champions Trophy matches being played at the PCA Stadium here. The boards are being put up in accordance with the response the police got from Flight Lt P.S. Karthik. It had distributed feedback forms among cricket enthusiasts during the last match held between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh here on October 7. The Aussies pad up to take to the nets at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. — Tribune photo b Vinay Malik

Teams announced for Indo-Pak tennis series
Chandigarh, October 24
The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) and the All-India Tennis Association (AITA) have announced their teams for the four-Test India-Pakistan Tennis Challenge Series to be played in India and Pakistan from November 6 to 12.

GCG-42 get walk over
Chandigarh, October 24
The football team of the Government College for Girls, Sector 42, was granted walk over against the Panjab University team on the opening day of the Panjab University Inter-College Football for Women being held at Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45, here today. According to the organisers, since the Panjab University eves did not turn up at the venue, GCG girls got the walk over.”

Ashish bags judo gold
Chandigarh, October 24
Ashish Thakur clinched gold medal in the boys’ u-17 category (below 45 kg) while Nivedita bagged gold in below 40 kg girls’ u-17 category in the Junior State Judo Championship held at Sports Complex, Sector 42, here today.

St. John’s, St. Stephen’s set up final clash
Chandigarh, October 24
St. John’s High School, Sector 26, and St. Stephen’s High School, Sector 45, will clash in the final of the 9th Blessed Edmund Rice Under 16 Cricket Tournament being played at St. John’s, Sector 26, here. The tournament is being sponsored by the Chandigarh IT Club.