The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Patiala MC clears 16 proposals
Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 5
The Patiala municipal corporation change of land use (CLU) meeting which was held here today gave a green signal to 16 applications and dismissed 15 for the change in land use.

The meeting was attended by mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, commissioner M.P. Arora and senior officials of the MC.

During the meeting it was also decided to keep 30 applications pending, decisions on which will be made later. The proposal of giving green signal to 16 applications will be forwarded to the Punjab government for a final decision once the objections from the general public are considered. Sources disclosed that if the proposals come through at the government level, the MC hopes to net a revenue of Rs 2 crore.

It is pertinent to mention here that in February, all these 16 applications were put on the back burner.

The marathon meeting, which lasted four hours, was the first one after the SAD-BJP combine came to power in the corporation. The mayor said the next meeting would be held shortly and a discussion in this regard had already been held with senior town planner Balkar Singh Brar.

Although the meeting gave green signal to 16 applicants yet according to the norms, the MC has invited objections from the general public.

According to sources, it was also decided in the meeting that from April 1, there will be an increase of 10 per cent in the change of land use charges. At present, the CLU charges are Rs 1,650 per sq yard but from April 1, this will be increased to Rs 1,815 per sq yard. The mayor disclosed that if the government gave its final nod to the 16 applicants seeking change of land use, the charges will remain the same.

The senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor were both conspicuous by their absence. However, the mayor said both had some important work to attend due to which they could not make it to the meeting.

When contacted, the mayor said the Congress could not, in its five-year rule in the corporation, convene even a single meting while he had done it within six months of coming to power.

Plot holders protest acquisition
Our Correspondent

Ambala, March 5
A large number of plot holders demonstrated on GT Road at Ambala city to protest against acquisition of their land by the state government to set up new vegetable market there. The revenue department will announce the awards of this land under Section 9 on March 11.

President of Ambala INLD Surjit Singh Sonda assured the plot holders that his party would oppose this move as most of the plot holders belonged to middle-class families. He said the government should acquire another piece of land for the vegetable market.

It is to be mentioned that a fortnight back the plot holders had blocked the GT Road for an hour and the flow of traffic could be restored after police intervention. A deputation of plot holders also met the deputy commissioner in this regard.

3-day Urs begins
Our Correspondent

Bassi Pathana, March 5
The ongoing political chaos in Pakistan cast its shadow on the three-day annual Urs organised in the memory of Sufi Saint Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui Sirhindi, which started at Rauza Sharif today. Thousands of the Naqushbandi Muslims from India and abroad, particularly from Pakistan, Iran and Bangladesh, come to pay obeisance here.

Earlier, a jatha of more than 200 pilgrims from Pakistan used to come here, but this year only 48 pilgrims, led by Sayeed Musharar Husain Alipur Saheedan, have come.

Local MLA Didar Singh Bhatti and deputy commissioner Ashok Singla accorded a warm welcome to the jatha. The place is regarded as the most religious all over the world by the Sunni Muslims. The Sheikh is considered next to Hazrat Mohammad in religious order hence the title "Alaf Sanni". Rauza Sharif, situated on the Sirhind-Bassi Pathana road in the vicinity of Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, belongs to Sheikh Ahmed Farooqui Sirhindi popularly known as Mujaddid-Alaf-i-Saani. Sheikh Ahmed was the most eminent of Khwaja Baqi Billah's disciples and was born in Sirhind.

According to Sajjda Nasheen Khalifa Sayad Mohammad Sadiq Raza Mujaddid, Urs is religious in nature and no political activity is allowed.

The district administration has made all arrangements for Urs. According to Ashok Singla, deputy commissioner, all basic amenities drinking water, food, shelter, toilets and dispensary are being provided to the pilgrims. A mela officer has been deputed, an enquiry office and information centre would work round the clock.

SPORTS

ICL Practice Match
Lions roar past Rockets
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, March 5
Chandigarh Lions beat Ahmedabad Rockets by 42 runs in the second practice match held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium here today.

Batting first, Chandigarh Lions put on 132 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Andrew Hall and Chetan Sharma was the main scorer for Chandigarh Lions. Hall top scored with 26 while Chetan chipped in 22 runs. Chasing a difficult target, Ahmedabad Rockets kept on loosing wickets at regular intervals and was all out for 90 runs in 18 overs. Only two batsmen reached double figure as Sachin Dholpure made 19 runs followed by P. Bhima Rao, who made 15 runs. Reetinder Sodhi was the pick of the bowler for Lions finishing with three wickets.

Brief scores

Chandigarh Lions: 132 for 8 (Andrew Hall 26, Chetan Sharma 22, Reetinder Singh Sodhi 3 wickets).

Ahmedabad Rockets: 90 all out in 18 overs, (Sachin Dholpure 19, P. Bhima Rao 15, Rajesh Sharma 3 wickets).

Chandigarh Ladies' Golf
Dimple leads on Day 1
Donald Banerjee

Chandigarh, March 5
Dimple Minocha led the field on the opening day of the Chandigarh Ladies Golf Championship as 22 ladies - from the teens to the 70s - teed off for the 10 titles at stake on the par-72 greens of the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

Dimple could muster a not-so-impressive card of 13 over par 85 as she triple bogeyed on the ninth and double-bogeyed on the eighth and 13th to take a two-stroke lead over Pauline J.M. Singh who carded a 15 over par 87. Two strokes behind her was her 14-year-old daughter Jaipreet S. Ghuman.

In the overall nett scores Jaipreet, who plays with a handicap of 18, was at one under par 71 (nett), followed by super senior player (above-65) Dalbir Sahi at 72. Dalbir Sahi was heading for a double crown in the super senior (above 65) category. In the gross event, she carded 95, with Gurbrinder Johl finishing three strokes behind at 98. Dalbir carded a par-72 nett score to emerge the leader in this category. On a windy day when bogeys were the order of the day, Mala Singh stood out sinking the only birdie of the day on the par 4 sixth hole.

After the first day's play, Jaipreet S. Ghuman and Dalbir Sahi were leading in three events while Dimple Minocha was leading in two. The super senior contest will end tomorrow after the second round.

Scores: Grewal Salver (gross): Dimple Minocha 85, Pauline J.M. Singh 87, Jaipreet S. Ghuman 89; challenge bowl (nett): Jaipreet S. Ghuman 71, Dalbir Sahi 72, Dimple Minocha and Baljinder Mangat 73 each; Bawa Gill Trophy (13-24 gross): Jaipreet S. Ghuman 89, Dalbir Sahi and Mala Singh 95 each, Madhu Brar 97; Rani Jagdish Kaur Cup (13-24 nett): Jaipreet S. Ghuman 71, Dalbir Sahi 72, Sheena Sekhon and Gurbrinder Johl 76 each; Meter and Instruments Cup (25-36 gross): Neelu Chopra and Babbles Singh 105 each, Baljinder Mangat 109; Ell Ess Trophy (25-36 nett): Baljinder Mangat 73, Neelu Chopra 77, Babbles Singh and Kiran B.M. Singh 80 each; Lady Governor Cup (above- 50 gross): Dimple Minocha 85, Dalbir Sahi and Mala Singh 95 each, Madhu Brar 97; Lady Governor Cup (above-50 nett): Dalbir Sahi 72, Dimple Minocha and Baljinder Mangat 73 each; Super Senior Special (above-65 gross): Dalbir Sahi 95, Gurbrinder Johl 98, Harinder Sandhu 100; Super Senior Special (above-65 nett): Dalbir Sahi 72, Gurbrinder Johl 76, Harinder Sandhu 80.

Four CHA players to represent country
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5
Four budding city players have made it to the junior Indian hockey teams. While Amanpreet Singh has been selected for the under-21 national squad, other three-Harman Preet Singh, Davinder Singh and Lovedeep Singh-have been selected for the under-18 team.

All players belong to the state-run Chandigarh Hockey Academy at Sports Complex, Sector 42, here.

At present Harman, Davinder and Lovedeep are attending a preparatory camp being held at Gurgaon whereas Amanpreet is playing in a hockey tournament underway at Raipur.

Elated coach of these youngsters Jasbir Bajwa termed it a big success for the city. “This is a leap by these talented young guns towards the big goal. Left-half Amanpreet is expert in man-to-man marking and distribution while scoring power and ball control are Harman’s forte, who plays at right-in position.”

Terming 6’-2” tall fullback Lovedeep a bright Indian senior team prospect, Bajwa said his top-class tackling and ability to man the defence line solidly singled him out from others. “This young player will surely make a mark at the bigger level,” said Bajwa.

Expressing happiness over the success of the players, I.S. Sandhu, director of the sports department, UT, said, “The very objective of the academy is to churn out top-class players. The success of these budding players is commendable.”

Both junior teams will face each other in an exhibition match organised by the Indian Hockey Federation on March 9 at Gwalior.

HEALTH

World Glaucoma Day
Support group set up for patients
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5
The PGI organised a glaucoma education seminar for patients and their families here today. World Glaucoma Day will be observed tomorrow.

A support group will be set up for glaucoma patients, their relatives and friends, said Dr S.S. Pandav, an ophthalmologist.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but blindness due to glaucoma can be prevented by timely diagnosis and treatment, he said.

A majority of patients have no symptoms until the disease reaches an advanced stage.

The top five causes of blindness include cataract, refractive errors, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. These account for 75 per cent of all visual impairment.

Glaucoma could occur at any age, but generally affected people above 40 years of age.

Since glaucoma might not have any symptom, periodic eye check-up was important for early detection. Some people might see coloured halos around lights and have mild blurring of vision in evenings. Such people should consult an eye doctor without delay.

“Whenever you visit your eye doctor for reading glasses, you must insist on a check-up for glaucoma. This check-up should be done by an eye specialist. Opticians will not be able to do this,” he added.

CRIME

Motorcyclist run over by truck, killed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5
In a hit-and-run mishap, Ram Kumar, a clerk at the Haryana MLA hostel, was killed after his motorcycle collided with a truck near the railway lights point here last night. The truck driver fled leaving the vehicle behind after the mishap.

According to the police, the victim, in his mid-40s, was on his way home to Baltana when the accident occurred. He was driving on the right side of the truck, which suddenly turned towards his side, running him over.

The victim was rushed to the Sector 32 GMCH, where he was declared brought dead.

The police handed over the body to the family after a postmortem today. A case has been registered.

The SHO of the Manimajra police station, inspector Hari Kumar, said the owner of the truck had been traced, but the driver was at large. The truck has been impounded.