Chandigarh, March 10
To conquer, the “badshahs” have arrived in the city this afternoon.

Pakistani players have big fans here as many cricket buffs along with horde of mediapersons were seen waiting for the ‘Lahore Badshahs’, which checked in at Hotel Taj GVK around 3.15 pm.

Among the former top class Pakistani players, including all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, spin wizards Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mustaq, fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan and wicket keeper Moin Khan, the burly Inzamam-ul-Haq was the centre of attraction.

Evidently tired, many of the stars virtually turned down the request of mediaperson, being assembled there to get their bites.

“We set in around 6 am from Hyderabad so it would be better if we talk tomorrow” was the answer from most of the cricketers from across the border.

However, the cricketers did not disappoint the fans, gathered at the venue, and obliged them with autographs and photographs.

The team, having all Pakistani players, is being considered as the strongest team in the ongoing third edition of the Indian Cricket League being held at Panchkula, Gurgaon and Hyderabad.

Terming the formation of team comprising all members from the same country, batsman Toffeq Umer said, “It will be a nice experience for all of us (all Paksitani players) to play against the teams having top class players from different countries”.

The “badshahs” will take on Chennai Superstars tomorrow at Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Sector 3, Panchkula under floodlights.

The team consists of Inzamam (captain), Azhar Mahmood, Tofeeq Umer, Imran Farhat, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saqlain Mushtaq, Rana Naved-Ul Hasan, Shahid Nazir, Hassan Raza, Naved Latif, Hummayun Farhat, Imran Nazir, Mohammed Sami, Arshad Khan and Riaz Afridi.

Mohali, March 10
With the water supply situation likely to be grim in the coming summer, water rationing has been introduced nearly three weeks earlier as compared to last year. Rationing will now begin from tomorrow.

In most parts of the town, residents will get water to fill their overhead tanks on alternative days.

Phases 1 to VIII which would face rationing of water have been divided into two zones. Zone 1 will cover Phases I, II, III B2 and V while zone II will cover Phases III A, III B 1, IV, VII and VIII. Rationing will begin from zone 1.

However, Phases IX to XI, Sector 70, 71 and parts of Sector 48-C, are at present not covered under the zoning plan and will get their water supply as usual.

Similarly, Sectors 66 to 69, in which water supply was being maintained by GMADA, will also not face any rationing of water as of now. “Supply would be restricted when the need arises” said a GMADA official.

Though an acute water shortage is not witnessed in Mohali, certain areas like Phases III A, III B2, V, VI, VII and IX get less water as compared to other areas.

When asked why rationing of water was being introduced three weeks in advance as compared to last year, Avtar Singh Kalsi, executive engineer, water supply and sanitation wing of the department of public health, said the demand of water was rising with the coming of summer.

By April 1 the demand would further go up with the rise in temperature. As such he wanted to make residents aware of the shortage of water well in advance so that they were not caught unaware.

Kalsi said that Phases III A, V and VI faced water shortage as there were no properly functioning tubewells in these areas.

There was only one tubewell in Phase II B2. He said some pockets in Phases X and XI also faced water shortage. The problem existed in multi-storeyed flats where one water connection was provided to each unit on the ground and upper floors.

He said that the Municipal Council was asked to sink 33 new tubewells in various parts of the town to meet water shortage, but not a single had been sunk so far.

According to officials of the department of public health, the total water requirement of the town was 18 million gallons a day (mgd) but the availability was only 13 mgd. While Mohali was getting 10 mgd of water from Kajauli waterworks, 3 mgd was contributed by tubewells.

Even as water rationing was being done in most parts of the town, wastage of water was witnessed in Phase II due to leakage. Reacting to this, Kalsi said that the department was ensuring that leakage of water, wherever noticed, was plugged immediately. He said that in the case of leakage in Phase II valves had become faulty which would be replaced by the evening today.

Chandigarh, March 10
The role of the Indian-Canadian diaspora as bridge builders between the two countries was discussed by experts at a roundtable organised at the Center for Research in Rural and Industrial Development here today.

During the discussion, it was brought out that so far the role of Indo-Canadians had been on the fringe, with either its achievements not being known or its role being limited to photo opportunities to attract the local franchise.

The diaspora was keen to play a constructive role, which could be done in the context of a tripartite framework involving the Indian and Canadian establishment and the Indo-Canadian population.

In her inaugural remarks, consul general of Canada Helen Economo Amundsen highlighted the role of the diaspora and said “the population of Punjabis in Canada is growing”.

Commissioner NRIs, Punjab, A.S. Chhatwal said the role of the diaspora should be positive towards both their home country as well as the host country.

Additional commissioner, NRIs, D.S. Saroya outlined the policies of the Punjab government concerning the diaspora, while chairman, Village Life Improvement Foundation, spoke about the role of Indo-Canadians in development projects in Punjab.

Prof B.S. Ghuman, dean academic studies, Panjab University, gave a presentation on connecting educational institutes of the two countries and cited examples and case studies from the university, while Prof Sucha Singh, dean academic affairs, Punjabi University, presented his views on involving diaspora in educational institutions in rural areas.

The experts also suggested ways and means to achieve the objectives and develop an infrastructure to meet challenges and facilitate Indo-Canadians to play a greater constructive role in diverse fields.

Chandigarh, March 10
Just over two months after it was held, the UT administration has cancelled the written test for filling 20 posts of assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) in the Chandigarh police.

Appearing before a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice Mohinder Pal, counsel said written examination for the posts of ASIs had been annulled.

After taking on record his statement, the Bench ruled: “In view of the fact, the petition does not survive. The same is dismissed having been rendered infructuous.”

Seeking the quashing of result of the written examination held on December 23, Harinder Singh of Mauli Jagran and two others had contended the written examination had been conducted in an “absolutely illegal” and “arbitrary manner”. It was in contravention of the instructions issued to them.

Directions were also sought for quashing the Central Administrative Tribunal’s order dated January 11, vide which their application challenging the examination result was dismissed.

In their petition before the high court against the Union of India, the inspector-general of police and three others, the petitioners had added the respondents had in fact deviated from the instructions for favouring certain candidates at their cost. The format of the test was also changed at the spot without notice.

Giving details, the petitioners had contended they were put to disadvantage as no question on reasoning and numerical ability was put to them. To their utter shock, they found the question paper contained 20 multiple-choice questions “based upon English only”.

As a result of sudden change and deviation from the instructions, they could not attempt the paper with the right frame of mind and could not qualify.

Chandigarh, March 10
In a thanks-giving gesture towards the PGI, Dr K.S. Raju, a former IAS officer, today donated Rs 1 lakh for the poor patient fund of the PGI.

Dr Raju visited the PGI along with his family and handed over the cheque and books to Prof K.K. Talwar, director, PGI, and Prof Raj Bahadur, director-principal, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. Dr Raju was recently treated in the PGI for some heart problem.

Informing about his decision of donating the money to the PGI, the octogenarian, who retired from the Punjab government as joint secretary, education, in 1986, said he thought of doing something for the poor patients when he saw them in need of money for treatment during his stay in the hospital two months ago.

“I suffered a heart attack on January 19 when I was attending a function at Bhargava auditorium of the PGI. Doctors present there admitted me to the hospital and the staff treated me with care. That time I decided that I would donate some money for the poor patients,” he said.

Dr Raju, a Sikh scholar, also donated five copies of his book, ‘Prophet of Peace’, to the PGI and Government Medical College and Hospital.

He did his PhD on comparative study of five world religions at the age of 70. 

Chandigarh, March 10
The Monday-morning rush led to traffic jams on some of the city’s busiest roads this morning with the motorists stranded in the traffic jams. Chaos prevailed near the Press Chowk lights point on Madhya Marg, Labour Chowk and near the hotel Southend rotary.

According to daily commuters, it took them over 10 minutes to pass through the jam on Madhya Marg. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the road with traffic moving at a snail’s pace. The situation became worse with the Chandigarh Traffic Police helpline (1073) remaining inaccessible. Even the traffic policemen looked to be hapless in clearing the traffic jams on Madhya Marg. The jams cleared after about 30 minutes.

It was only after several attempts that the operator at the helpline picked up the phone and said that the jams were due to Monday morning rush.

Chandigarh, March 10
For every run scored, the bowling team would pay Rs 2,000; for every wicket lost, the batting team would pay Rs 10,000 and for every six, the bowling team would pay additional Rs 1,000!

That’s the way the legislators of politically rival teams of the SAD-BJP and Congress would contribute towards generating funds for the disabled players and individuals by playing a charity cricket match on March 13.

Named as “Triumph-08’, T20 Charity Cricket match-saluting the iron will of paralympians’, this Twenty20 friendly match, organised by the Paralympic Committee of Punjab, has been scheduled to be played at 5.30 pm on PCA pitch under flood lights.

Both the parties today announced their playing elevens at a press briefing at PCA Complex, Mohali.

Chief Minister, Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would be the non-playing captains of the SAD/BJP and Congress teams, respectively. Yog Raj, the former cricketer is coaching the Congress squad while Navdeep Singh is giving tips to the SAD-BJP team.

Addressing mediapersons at Punjab Bhawan, Sector 3, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, the PWD B&R minister and also the president of the Paralympic Committee of Punjab, said, “ The main focus is to raise over Rs 1 crore and this money would be spent to bring social change through education and special facilities for the handicapped and disabled individuals in Punjab. We would also extend this support outside Punjab in near future.”

The disabled sportspersons who represented international sports and athletics competitions and those who have achieved success in any field like business, music and acting would also be honoured.

The main sponsor of the event is Omaxe Ltd, a company who already runs around 50 projects for the deprived section. Kanwaljeet Singh Walia, owner of Commando Caterers Pvt Ltd, has announced to give Paralympic Committee Rs 2,000 for every six scored, Rs 3,000 for every maiden over and Rs 5,000 if any particular bowler takes 3 wickets in the match.

To add entertainment flavour, special live performances would be organised by the celebrities of Punjab. The commentators would be former cricketer and TV personality Navjot Singh Sidhu and comedians Jaspal Bhatti and Bhagwant Mann. Besides this, Punjabi singer Pammi Bai and London based group Nic and Nicola, Hope foundation, would entertain the audience in between the match.

The teams:

SAD-BJP: Sukhpal Singh Nannu, Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Amarjit Sahi, Harpreet Singh, KD Bhandari, Anil Joshi, Harmeet S. Sandhu, Harmeet S. Mann, Harish Rai Dhindsa and Harish Bedi.

Congress: Rana Gurmit Sodhi, Kewal Dhillon, Sukhpal Khera, Harminder Joshi, Jeet Mohinder Singh, Ripjit Brar, Balbir Sidhu, Mangat Ram Bansal, Charanjit S. Channi, Sadhu Singh and Dharamjit S. Brar. 

Mohali, March 10
“With the Santiago debacle, our hockey team has made our national game a joke. So, we have decided to design a special hockey stick at our Joke Factory”, said renowned satirist Jaspal Bhatti here today.

At his factory, Bhatti put on display his new invention, which he called ‘Cric-Hockey’ stick for the lovers of the sport.

“The new low, which the Indian hockey has touched, has forced us to invent a new game, having half the rules of hockey and half of cricket. This is a ‘morale booster’ stick”, Bhatti said.

“As of today, the younger generation feels ashamed to move around carrying hockey sticks. But, this new hybrid stick could be proudly carried along. The Cric-Hockey stick would also attract advertisers as it has a portion of cricket bat attached to it”, viewed the satirist. The mass production of the new stick would start soon at our Joke Factory, as there are bright chances that one-day Cric-Hockey could be embraced by the BCCI, Bhatti said. 

Chandigarh, March 10
Nandita Singh, a reader in the department of education, Panjab University, has done the university proud as she has been invited to present a paper in the Oxford roundtable conference.

The conference, to be attended by over 40 delegates from across the globe, is scheduled to be held from March 16-21.

Nandita will present a paper on “Higher Education For Women in India: Choices and Challenges”.

In 2002, she had represented India in a conference organised by the South Asian Forum for Human Rights held in Nepal. Her paper was selected as one of the best papers presented there and was later put on the official website of the forum as well. She has to her credit around eight publications on different subjects, including human rights and value education. She was also invited to present her paper in Hong Kong in 2007 by an education reforms committee.

Nandita joined the department as a lecturer in 1994. Prior to this, she was a research fellow in the same department since 1985.

Talking to The Tribune, an elated Nandita, said, “The conference holds a lot of importance for me. It is high time that higher education with regards to women in India is talked about and that’s exactly what I am going to do,” she said. 

Chandigarh, March 10
Members of the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) and Panjab University Campus Students’ Council held a joint dharna today in front of the vice-chancellor’s office to protest against the dilly-dallying attitude of the Punjab government on the central university status to Panjab University.

During the past six months, PUTA representatives have held a series of meetings with different ministers of Punjab, including Manpreet Singh Badal, finance minister, Upinderjit Kaur, minister of higher education, Sukhbir Singh Badal, president SAD, and Capt Kanwaljit Singh, minister of cooperation, in order to secure their consent to the proposal of ministry of human resource development (MHRD).

The ministry had written to the Punjab Government, as also to the administration of UT, in July 2007 conceding “the fact that a number of administrative and financial hassles of the university were reportedly linked to its ambiguous status between the state and central university. It may be desirable that the Panjab University is accorded Central University status with 100 per cent plan and non-plan grant being borne by the Central Government.

Teachers and students expressed their resentment on the ambivalent attitude of the government of Punjab and UT.

Already, the PUTA members have written twice to the Chief Minister of Punjab and once to the administrator of the UT seeking appointment for the PUTA delegation so that they could dispel some of the misgivings but nothing came out so far.

The protestors threatened that if their grievances were not redressed immediately, the students and teachers of the campus would take out a candle light procession on March 20.

Chandigarh, March 10
The department of correspondence studies organised its annual prize distribution function in the auditorium of the department at PU today. Prof S.K. Kulkarni, Dean of University Instruction, Panjab University, was the chief guest and Prof A.S. Ahluwalia, PUTA president, presided over the function. Professor Kulkarni complimented the toppers and other prize-winners of different competitions for their hard work. Earlier, Prof Jagmohan Chopra, chairperson of the department, presented a summary of the annual report. He announced that several new courses were being started in the department from the next academic session.

Seminar: Centre for Women’s Studies and Development, PU, is organising a one-day seminar on the theme “Engendering Development: Issues and Challenges” on March 11. The seminar aims to improve understanding of the links among gender issues, public policy, and development. The various sessions of the seminar would focus on different aspects of women and development.

Workshop: Prof S.K. Kulkarni, dean, University Instructions, PU, inaugurated a two-day workshop on “Enhancing Psychological Capital and Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence” at PU today. Prof Emeritus Prof Jitendra Mohan said the global drift had created inequalities. The workshop aims to develop inner skills to harmonise with external demands. Prof S.S. Nathawat, resource person from Jaipur, emphasised upon the theme that correct appraisal of yourself and perspectives leads to success and joy. Prof Meena Sehgal, chairperson, department of Psychology, stressed upon the eagerness of students in aiming to collaborate, cooperate and create.

Lecture: Prof Gurpreet Mahajan, JNU, delivered the annual Shaheed Bhagat Singh memorial lecture on “The Idea of Secularism: The Universal and the Particular in the Indian Context” in PU today. The Department of political science in collaboration with the Academic Staff College, PU, organised the lecture. Prof M.M. Puri, Professor Emeritus and former vice-chancellor, presided over the function. Prof Mahajan said the routes to secularism were many, but the underlying principle was same that is non-discrimination on the grounds of religion. Therefore, it is wrong to argue that India has a different concept of secularism.

Presentation: A three-day long Seminar on “Globalisation, Development and Human Rights” began today at PU campus today. Raji P. Srivastava, IAS, director, Higher Education, Chandigarh, in her presentation highlighted some of the pitfalls of globalisation. Quoting from Friedman, Giddens and Amartya Sen, Srivastava underlined the paradoxes and ironies of globalisation as it puts a few to the fast track of growth at the cost of a vast majority living in misery. She concluded by saying that the solution lies in what she paraphrased as ‘inclusive globalisation with state, civil society and corporate sector participate. Peter Eisenhower from the U.S. Embassy, Delhi, in his speech highlighted the centrality of human rights’ concern in American foreign policy. He emphasised the importance of good governance and transparency in successful globalisation regime. Prof S.L. Sharma, sociologist, questioned some of the premises of globalisation and argued that globalisation and development together did not necessarily ensure human rights. Dr Swaranjit Kaur, after discussing the similarities and differences between Globalisation and Human Rights, stressed on a partnership of necessity from both, a human rights activist and a corporate’s point of view, culminating in the paradigm suggested by her titled, “The Corporate Social Responsibility Paradigm (CSR). 

Chandigarh, March 10
The 26th annual prize distribution function was held at Government College, Sector-46, here today. As many as 400 students were awarded prizes for excelling in the field of academics, sports and co- curricular activities.

The celebrations started with traditional lamp lighting by the chief guest, Pradip Mehra, adviser to the administrator, Chandigarh. Raji P.Srivastava, director, higher education, Chandigarh, was the guest of honour.

Eight students were conferred with roll of honour. As many as 21 college colours and 33 merit certificates were awarded to the students. Principal Dr. K.S.Saluja read out the annual report. 

Chandigarh, March 10
The functioning of the district courts may improve following a complaint by a litigant.

Not happy with the slow speed of his case at the district courts, he decided to write a complaint to the Governor about the problems of the district courts.

The Governor forwarded the complaint to the Chandigarh administration which forwarded it to the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The registrar-general of the high court has asked the district and sessions judge to give his comments on the matter.

The complainant said when he requested a judicial officer for a speedy trial in his case, he was that he could not do anything. No judge could write about these problems so, either an advocate or a litigant should bring the matter to the notice of the HC. The judge pointed out that two stenographers were not sufficient to run a court properly.

The judge informed him that for the completion of the dictation of a judgment in time, every court should have a typist, a stenographer and a judgment writer.The complainant said whenever the date of his case was fixed, judicial officers could not record the evidence as the typist concerned was on leave.The district and sessions judge, K.K. Garg, has circulated the copy of the complaint, along with the registrar’s letter, to all judicial officers.

Chandigarh, March 10
The Punjab and Haryana High Court will have three women judges, for the first time in its history, with the President clearing the name of District and Sessions Judge Sabina for elevation.

The other judicial officer, whose name has been cleared for elevation as high court judge is Zora Singh. The warrants of their appointment were received at the HC today.

As of now, the high court has two women judges - Justice Nirmal Yadav and Justice Daya Chaudhary. It may be mentioned that the union ministry of law has categorically stated that it was in favour of increasing the representation of women in the judiciary.

Even though the high court after their elevation will have the highest-ever number of judges, the shortage will continue. The high court has 41 judges against the sanctioned strength of 68.

While eight women judges had been sworn in at the Delhi High Court, the ministry was in favour of administering oath of office to at least three or four more women judges from here.

The sources in the high court add that the names of more advocates will soon be considered for elevation as judges as the Union Government is now appointing double the number of judges annually, compared to the previous years. Quoting figures, sources say 125 judges are on an average being appointed annually, against just 55 until recently.

Chandigarh, March 10
The Chandigarh administration has appointed protection officers under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

The tehsildar (District Revenue) has been appointed as protection officer for the area, including Police Station North (Sectors 1 to 6, 8, 9, 10 and Kaimbala village), Central (covering Sectors 16, 17, 22 and 23) and West (covering Sectors 11, 12, 14, 15, 24 and 25, Lahora, Khuda Jassu, Sarangpur, Dhanas and Khuda Ali Sher villages).

The tehsildar (Colonies and enforcement) has been appointed for the area, including police station, Sector 26 (covering Sectors 7, 26 to 28, Grain Market, Bapu Dham Colony, Transport Area), Police Station Sector 19 (covering Sectors 18 to 21), Police Station Sector 31 (covering Sectors 31, 47 and 48, villages Bairmajra, Karsan, Hallomajra, Gagar Majra, Behlana, Jhumra, Industrial Area Phase II, Air Field, Ram Darbar), Police Station, Industrial Area (covering Sectors 29 and 30, Industrial Area Phase I, Colony no. 4, Village Raipur Khurd and Daira) and Police Station, Mani Majra (covering Manimajra, Kishangarh, Bhagwanpura, Railway colony, Mouli Jagran, Raipur Kalan, Indira colony, Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra).

Tehsildar (Enforcement), Municipal Corporation, has been appointed as protection officer for area including Police Station South, Sector 34 (covering sectors 32, 33, 34, 44, 45, 46, 49, Village Burail, Colony no. 5, Nizampur).