Chandigarh, November 30
One field in which Haryana has beaten Punjab thoroughly is nuclear power. Both states were interested in having one nuclear power plant in their territory. But Haryana has moved far ahead of its “elder brother” in this field.

The issue has been vigorously pursued with the Centre by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the past five years. The state government identified Kumharia village in Fatehabad district as the likely venue of the prestigious project.

The tentative proposal was forwarded to the Centre much before the Indo-US nuclear treaty was signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George Bush.

It was a pleasant coincidence that the Centre’s “in-principle” approval for the project came when the Congress government headed by Hooda was about to start its second tenure.

Punjab too has been demanding the setting up a nuclear power plant. But it never seriously took up the project with the Centre. It was only after Haryana received “in-principle” approval that Punjab decided to request the Centre in this regard in writing. Experts say it is unlikely that the Centre would agree to set up two nuclear plants in close proximity.

Haryana’s proposal for the nuclear plant is two and a half decade old. The Kumharia site was identified in 1984. But the proposal did not proceed further.

It was only in 2001 that the site selection committee of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) reviewed the Kumharia site. But the things remained where they were.

However, after 2005, the project picked up momentum. The state Irrigation Department confirmed the availability of 320 cusecs of water for the proposed project to the NPCIL on February 6, 2006.

The site selection committee reassessed the site on June 18, 2007 for setting up of a 2800 MW (4x700 MW) nuclear power plant. Initially, two units of 700 MW each would be set up during the current 11th Plan period.

The requisite information regarding the population density in the periphery of 5 km, 10 km, 16 km and 30 km, alternative water supply source from the Western Yamuna Canal and the plan to raise the height of the Fatehabad branch of the Bhakra Main Canal for carrying additional 320 cusecs of water were also conveyed to the NPCIL in 2007.

The state government has designated Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) as the nodal agency for the project, which will provide cheap and clean power to not only Haryana but also its neighbouring states.

It would bring in an investment of over Rs 12,000 crore, giving a tremendous boost to the development of the state in general and the districts of Fatehabad, Sirsa and Hisar in particular.

Now, a team of officers of the NPCIL, led by its chairman-cum-managing director, Dr SK Jain, will visit Haryana for three days from December 2 to initiate pre-project activities.

The state government will acquire about 2,500 acre around Kajalheri, Gorakhpur and Kumharia villages in Fatehabad district for the project.

Jhajjar, November 30
With a view to preventing canal water theft, the authorities have decided to constitute committees at the village level across the district which will not only keep a tab on farmers indulging in stealing canal water but also take preventive measures to deal with the prevailing situation causing hardships to farmers.

Besides, officials of the Irrigation Department have also been directed to ensure proper cleanness of canals and distributaries on priority basis and make serious efforts to curb the theft and pilferage of canal water so that it could reach tail-end fields.

Moreover, subdivisional magistrate (SDM) will also check the functioning of officials and working of the committees by carrying out surprise raids from time to time.

Decision to this effect has been taken by the authorities following directives of state Health and Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal, who pulled up district officers recently for not paying heed to incidents of water theft and pilferage from canals that have turned out to be a serious worry for farmers whose fields are situated at the tail-end.

Taking a serious view of such complaints, the minister even warned the officials that action would be initiated against those found guilty of dereliction of duty.

“The formation of committees at the village level and constant surveillance on those who use unauthorised water will definitely be supportive in preventing canal water theft. Besides, proper cleanness of canals and distributaries will also facilitate the smooth flow of water to reach the tail-end fields,” said Nitin Yadav, Jhajjar deputy commissioner, adding that order for maintaining and repairing of embankment of the canal had also been issued.

The DC said stealing of water from any canal was a punishable act. Hence, those found violating the law would be liable to face legal action.

Theft of canal water in this district is rampant owing to constant shortage of canal water and lack of proper checking by officials to stop farmers from using canal water in an unauthorised way. That’s why, farmers having either political patronage or enjoying the support of the authorities don’t hesitate in stealing water from canals.

Farmers of several villages had met Bhukkal during her recent visit to Jhajjar and demanded to issue necessary order to the district authorities to prevent such incidents so that they could get water for sowing wheat crop.

The affected farmers also alleged that they had made a series of complaints to the authorities about the non-supply of canal water but no action had been taken.

Hisar, November 30
In a befitting tribute to the founder of the Bishnoi sect after whom the Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology here is named, the varsity’s horticulture department has successfully transplanted 38 date trees on the campus.

The trees are mostly 25 to 30 years old and were standing at various places inside the vast campus. These were first uprooted scientifically and then transplanted at various points for landscaping purposes.

The work on transplantation began in April after a team of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) visited the university for ranking purposes and pointed out that despite some good work on landscaping, the campus had fewer trees compared to its size.

It was on the initiative of vice-chancellor DDS Sandhu that the varsity’s horticulture department prepared a plan to transplant some trees on an experimental basis. Consequently, 20 date trees were uprooted keeping the root ball intact. They were carried to the designated site where an appropriately sized pit had been dug in advance for each tree.

Ashok Ahlawat, head, horticulture department, says it takes about six months to determine whether the transplanted tree has survived the exercise. He says of the 20 trees transplanted, 18 have survived.

Encouraged by the survival rate, 20 more trees were transplanted in September last. So far, they are doing fine. The department now plans to transplant other big trees, including those with large canopies such as neem and ficus. Many of these trees were facing the axe due to planned construction and road widening.

University officials developed their own technique for transplantation with the help of information available on the Internet.

Guru Jambheshwar, founder of the Bishnoi sect after whom the university is named, was an environmentalist in his time. More than five centuries ago, he had included protection of trees in the 29 principles of his sect. More than 300 sect members had sacrificed their life in Khejari village of Jodhpur district in Rajasthan to protect trees which the then thakur of Jodhpur had ordered to cut to provide fuel for a lime kiln to build his palace.

The Bishnois hugged the trees as soldiers began to cut them. This is the first reported instance of Chipko Movement in Indian history.

Fatehabad, November 30
Ishita Uppal, a class VII student of a Panchkula School and Haryana’s brand ambassador against female foeticide, was able to convey her message of saving daughters and growing more trees effectively during her two-day visit here.

She addressed students in Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Government College for Women, Manohar Memorial Postgraduate (MMPG) College, and some other educational institutions during her stay in the town.

Ishita said daughters and trees had great importance on the earth and depletion in the number of any of these would spell doom for society.

She also participated in functions organised at the local Bal Bhawan and General Hospital.

“It is ironical that Haryana and Punjab are the two states that are placed on the top of the table in the matter of development, but the same two are at the bottom of the table in the matter of sex ratio,” said Ishita.

She administered an oath to students that they would never indulge in foeticide and would always fight to save the girl child.

She also flagged off a rally against foeticide comprising schoolchildren from the local Government Senior Secondary School.

Deputy commissioner CG Rajini Kaanthan lauded the initiative taken by Ishita and said it was heartening to note that she was creating awareness at such a tender age.

Later, Ishita planted saplings in the local General Hospital and urged the Health Authorities to take measures to stop the menace of sex detection and foeticide.

Warm receptions awaited Ishita wherever she went in the town.

Besides the deputy commissioner, SP Jagwant Singh Lamba, SDM JK Abhir, City Magistrate Satish Jain and civil surgeon OP Arya, DK Kaushik, principal of MMPG College attended the functions addressed by Ishita.

Earlier, she was received in the town by Sampat Singh, former Haryana Minister, SP Jagwant Singh Lamba, City Magistrate Satish Jain, Civil Surgeon OP Arya, Usha Dahiya and Suvarsha Mehta, both members of the District Advisory Committee on the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda flagged off the expedition of Ishita on November 19 after designating her as a brand ambassador of the state against foeticide.

“Three years ago, when I listened the word “kanya bhroon hatya” for the first time, I asked its meaning from my papa. When he told me what it means, I was shocked,” said Ishita, while talking to mediapersons at the local PWD Rest House.

“First, I thought why people do not raise their voice against this evil practice and then I thought why not I take the initiative and start an expedition on the issue,” she added.

Ishita said she approached Chandigarh Administrator SF Rodrigue and sought his help for the mission and soon she got a call from an officer from his office.

First, the Chandigarh Administration designated her as the brand ambassador against foeticide and then soon, the state government followed the suit.

“My expedition started on November 19 from Chandigarh and its first leg will culminate on December 19 on the occasion of birthday of President Pratibha Patil in the Rashtrapati Bhawan,” Ishita said.

She will be meeting AICC President Sonia Gandhi on her birthday on December 9 and will go to Parliament on December 10, she added.

“There is no doubt that the problem of foeticide is rampant in the country, but we can overcome this if we have the will to do so,” she said.

Ishita said she was elated at the celebrity status she had acquired in a few days ever since she had been designated the brand ambassador against foeticide by the government.

However, the status, she added, had not gone to her head and she had been making several new friends and still was in touch with her old classmates.

Rohtak, November 30
The state government is serious about having its own High Court and the issue is likely to get an ample thrust after proper solution to the matter of water with the neighbouring state, which assumes greater significance in view of shortage and inequitable distribution of water.

This was stated by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda while interacting with local lawyers at a function organised by District Bar Association here recently.

The state government would soon file an appeal in the Supreme Court for an early release of water in Hansi-Butana link canal, he said.

Claming that farmers and residents from all parts of the state had an equal right on water, he said his government was keen to ensure a proper supply and distribution of water throughout the state and the construction of the Hansi-Butana link canal was a development in this direction.

He stated that the canal would end woes of farmers of several districts who had been a victim of discrimination for the past several decades and any opposition to this project was politically motivated.

He said while the government was serious about solving interstate issues, the matter of water was perhaps the most important whereas other issues could be resolved later.

Stating that there was no change on the stand of the government on its claim on Chandigarh, he said the government would try for setting up a separate High Court in Chandigarh.

Referring to the allegations of horse trading for the formation of the new government, Hooda said he did not approach MLAs, but they themselves contacted him, hence there was no question of buying their support.

He said HJC MLAs, who have joined the ruling party, had also voluntarily come under the fold of the Congress. The CM said the success of the present government for development could be gauged from the fact that the plan budget for the state had gone up to Rs 11,000 crore from a mere Rs 2,200 crore during the previous regime in 2004.

The Chief Minister also claimed that the law and order situation in the state had been one of the best so far with most of the criminals and organsied gangs wiped out and there was no threat or risk to any life or property of anyone.

Rohtak, November 30
The Apex Court has upheld the seniority of Dr PS Gehlaut, a Professor of Medicine in the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), over a colleague of the same department.

The court, in a recent judgement, had dismissed an appeal filed by the applicant Dr Nityanand, another Professor in the same department, after the Punajb and Haryana High Court passed an order in favour of Dr Gehlaut regarding the seniority in May 2008.

The High Court had allowed a writ petition filed by Dr Gehlaut, who had challenged an order of the state government regarding the matter.

As per the details, Dr Nityanand was senior to Dr Gehlaut when both worked as lecturers at the PGIMS. This arrangement continued till both of them became Associate Professors. However, the issue flared up when an interview for the post of Floating Professor was held in the institute. Dr Gehlaut was selected for the post and claimed seniority over Dr Nityanand by virtue of his selection at a higher post.

The PGIMS authorities formed a committee to decide the matter. The panel was of the opinion that Dr Gehlaut should be considered senior as he had been appointed on a higher selection post of Floating Professor.

The authorities here sent the case for the approval of the state government in this connection. However, the state directed the PGIMS administration to give seniority to Dr Nityanand instead of Dr Gehlaut. Dissatisfied with the order of the government, Dr Gehlaut challenged the aforesaid order in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and obtained a stay till the matter was decided by the court in May 2008, which stated that Dr Gehlaut be considered senior.

But this led to Dr Nityanand to approach in the Apex Court where he filed an SLP and challenged the decision this year. The two judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered its judgement on November 13 last.

Faridabad, November 30
It was a refreshing and reassuring change for local residents when a large number of poets conversant in Urdu and Hindi took part in a literary programme organised recently in the Community Centre, Sector 15, under the aegis of about two-decade-old organisation “Bazm-e-Abad”.

The programme was presided over by a retired IAS officer of the 
state, HS Rana. It was attended by poets from the city and the National Capital.

According to many, poems and couplets of various genre and nature touched, reflected and commented on various aspects of life.

A number of them, including the one narrated by the only female poet Namita Rakesh, appeared to be romantic in nature and focused on the virtues of universal love.

A number of poets expressed disgust over violent streaks creeping among human beings in which terrorist incidents like the Mumbai attacks constituted the leitmotif of such narratives.

Veer Singh, injecting rich satirical vein in his Hindi poem composed by him, commented on inefficiency and corrupt practices in the police.

Abdul Rehman, Rama Shankar, Paras Nath Moolchandani, Om Prakash ‘Saagar’, RD Tiwari and Sarvesh Chandani among others from Delhi regaled the audience with their incisive and intuitive comments on day-to-day problems faced by people.

Rana, who also recited Urdu couplets, said: "Such cultural and literary programmes help in integrated and balanced growth of any city. Apart from industrial and infrastructural growth, metaphysical and literary aspects of the city must also be studiously nurtured.

Such programmes and consciousness in society help the people of any city to overcome even the most tragic incidents like the Mumbai attacks by way of injecting a sense of philosophy and resilience in the citizens”.

Gurgaon, November 30
Interacting with Indian cricket icon Kapil Dev was a dream come true for the students of Lions Public School who celebrated their Annual Sports Day here recently.

Kapil, who was the chief guest and star attraction at the event, exhorted the children to identify their real goal in life and strive hard to achieve it with all their might. He also advised the parents to realise the potential of their wards and encourage them to participate in sports and other extra-curricular activities as well.

CBSE sports AEO Pushkar Vohra maintained that many small children of today would grow up to become stars in their chosen fields in future, adding that grooming their skills was the need of the day.

Endorsing his views, KC Wadhwa, chairman of the school, observed that the skillful performances of small children presented a glimpse of their talent and hidden capabilities. Renu Verma, principal of the school, welcomed the guests and listed the achievements of the students.

Chess coach Kamal Yadav said a chess championship was also organised on the occasion.

Gurgaon, November 30
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has stressed the need for inculcating the feelings of patriotism and sacrifice into the young generation for maintaining the unity and integrity of the country.

He was speaking at a function after releasing a bilingual magazine titled “Saadar India”, published by the Seeds India, a city-based NGO, at his Delhi residence.

Hooda said: “The entire world is facing the threat of terrorism nowadays and divisive forces are the biggest enemy of the mankind for which united efforts are required so that nefarious designs of these forces cannot succeed”.

He affirmed that newspapers and magazines play an important role in bringing mass awareness in society. Hooda expressed the hope that the magazine would play a significant role in inculcating the feelings of moral values, patriotism and sacrifice into the citizens of the country. He said the first issue of the magazine was dedicated to the martyrs of the Mumbai attacks and it was a real tribute to them.

Hooda mentioned that articles published in the magazine would help in generating the feeling of patriotism among the youths in a befitting manner.

Sheel Madhur, president of the Seeds India, and an IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, said terrorists tried to shake the self-confidence of the country by attacking Mumbai last year, but our soldiers sacrificed their lives for the nation and proved that it was not an easy task to challenge the unity and integrity of the country.

A video album of Madhur was also exhibited on the occasion. He said the objective of the album was to create patriotic feelings and awareness in society. Madhur had tried to make a clarion call to the people of the country for uplifting the living standard of poor and destitute children through the album.

Rewari, November 30
More than 50 per cent of the girl students of the local Government Girls Senior Secondary School were found anaemic during an anaemia check-up camp held in the school recently.

While the camp was sponsored by the Lions Club, Rewari, a team of doctors of the local civil hospital examined the students. The deficient students were given medicines free of cost.

Over 1,600 girl students of different classes were examined by doctors for the deficiency of RBCs during the camp which was inaugurated by deputy commissioner TL Satyaprakash.

Satyaprakash said immunisation of younger generation from anaemic conditions was essential and he hoped that the camp would have far-reaching effects on the lives of these girls.

Vishnu Dutt Sharma, president of the Lions Club, said in view of the increasing complaints of giddiness and listlessness among students during morning assembly in schools, the club recently approached the Health Authorities to organise health check-up camps in schools.

He went on to say that more such camps would be held in other schools of the district to check the immunity level of students.

Taking a serious note of a large number of girl students found suffering from anaemic symptoms, Dr HR Yadav, chief medical officer of the local civil hospital, said they would soon organise more such camps in other schools of the district for the benefit of deficient students. Simultaneously, he wanted guardians to pay more attention to the diet of their wards and ensure they take nutritious diet which could immunise them against all such ailments.

Chandigarh, November 30
The curtains may have come down on the Indian International Trade Fair (IITF), but the Haryana pavilion managed to showcase all it wanted to, ending up earning goodwill, as many as 100 applications for SEZs and attracting investors and clients all in a matter of two-weeks.

If the ground floor showcased artisans, self-help groups and a representation of industrial participation in the backdrop of Haryana Tourism, messages from the state’s top brass in various fields provided a glimpse into the progressive strides Haryana was making in various fields. Apart from this, a whole floor was dedicated to showcase achievements and various schemes of boards and corporations of the state government. Under the theme of “good living”, everything from doors to railings, specialties gachak and reweri of Rohtak to footwear were available.

In the pavilion, about 98 units had displayed their goods for trade business and they got good response from the visitors. The models displayed in the pavilion, especially that of the 135-km long Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway being constructed from Kundli to Palwal, attracted crowds.

Anand Mohan Sharan, administrator, Hayana Trade Fair Authority, said as many as 100 applications had been received for setting up of SEZs in the state which included 70 of information technology and ITES. The Central government had already accorded its approval for the setting up of 64 SEZs with which ample employment opportunities could be generated.

Sharan said a number of entrepreneurs had shown interest in setting up of their venture keeping in view the facilities and infrastructure being provided by the state government as compared to other states.

Gurgaon, November 30
Residents of the millennium city got a chance to savour select traditional delicacies of Old Delhi at a food festival organised here recently.

The event, organised by Amira Foods India, in association with DLF Club, showcased scrumptious cuisines of Old Delhi for three consecutive days.

Rajesh Nangru, vice-president (branded business - domestic), Amira Foods India, said: “We are delighted to sponsor such events where we can connect with consumers directly. It’s an excellent platform to understand consumer preferences and also challenging to see how the brand is being perceived by our target audience”.

Devashish Dcosta, executive chef, DLF City Club, said: “Such festivals are good for culinary professionals like us as these give us a creative satisfaction and a chance to try something different from our daily routine menus”.

Not just food, but the venue was set up in an ambience similar to old Delhi. Visitors also enjoyed musical performances like live band from Nelson, qawwali by Akbar Nizami group and old melodies by Inder Thakur while they savoured some exotic Old Delhi cuisines.

Sonepat, November 30
The Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology organised a two-day national workshop on biomedical engineering (BME-09) here recently.

Around 120 students from Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar; Alwar Institute of Technology, Alwar; Rayat Bahra Engineering College, Mohali; Dronacharya Engineering College of Gurgoan, CITM, Faridabad; PDM College of Engineering, Bahadurgarh; MNNIT, Allahabad; and 60 faculty participants from different institutes all over India as well as faculty from different departments of the university.

Dr Sneh Anand, head, Centre of Biomedical Engineering, IIT, New Delhi, who was the chief guest on the occasion, spoke on "Convergence of Medicine and Technology - A Reality". "We should go back to our traditional medicine systems and learn as well as adapt to the new technology to establish a new system in biomedical engineering," she said.

Dr Ashok Jaryal of AIIMS delivered a lecture on "Insight into Cardiovascular Physiology through Signal Processing" and presented a combined perspective that relates biological sciences with engineering. He guided students to invent technology in the field of heart rate variability and barrow reflex activity and beat-to-beat analysis. According to him, the future directions could be in the field of signal processing using blood velocity signals, blood pressure signals, ECG signals and blood flow signals.

This was followed by a presentation by Priya Luthra from White Works Global Services. Her area of focus was telemedicine. She stressed on the needs of telemedicine, its advantages, types, and applications.

The second day of the BME-09 witnessed lectures on graphical system design for bio-medical applications, gait control theory of pain, cardiovascular variability and monitor depth of anesthesia.

Dr JS Saini, chairman of the BME, said the biomedical department of the university was planning new PG courses as well as collaboration with industries.

Sirsa, November 30
BSNL has reduced drastically the tariff of its 3G mobile services after the earlier rates introduced by the nigam failed to catch the fancy of consumers.

“The new prices, which are even lower than the 2G services, have been introduced from November 9, 2009,” said a circular by the assistant director (marketing), Ambala Division of BSNL.

The 3G services of BSNL, which have the facilities of video call, mobile broadband, mobile television, high-speed audio/video download and movies, are now available in 15 cities of the state (Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonipat, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hansi, Rohtak, Bahadurgarh, Bhiwani, Kalka) and overall more than 240 cities in the country.

“Under this plan, customers will now get local voice calls at 30 paisa per minute on BSNL network and at 60 paisa per minute on other networks. They will get STD voice calls at 50 paisa per minute on BSNL network and at 70 paisa per minute on other networks.

Local video calls will be available at 30 paisa per minute and STD video calls at 50 paisa per minute. SMS rates have also been reduced at 40 paisa for local, 60 paisa for national and Rs 3 for international. New video calls rates in roaming are at Rs 1 per minute for local outgoing and Rs 1.50 per minute for STD, outgoing and incoming video calls in roaming are at Re 1 per minute,” said VR Kamboj, SDO (marketing), BSNL, Sirsa.

He said new rates would be available to the customers for a period of two months from the date of introduction of the scheme and would remain applicable for a period of 365 days from the date of activation.

He said in all, video call charges had been reduced by 40 per cent and free video calls for 75 minutes in a month had been allowed on fixed monthly charges of Rs 57 per month.

Sonepat, November 30
“As the University of Science and Technology at Murthal is named after Kisan leader Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram, the university authorities, with an aim to fulfilling his dreams, have taken a number of initiatives of community service programmes,” said the vice-chancellor of the university, Dr HS Chahal.

According to him, the university is aware of its responsibilities towards its surroundings and owes its existence to the community which had donated 273 acres for its establishment. Since the university’s rapport and understanding with the community is very supportive, the community is prepared to donate more land to accommodate future expansion of the university.

A variety of community service programmes, mostly of continuing nature, are being implemented with the active involvement of faculty and students of the university. “Savera”, an initiative for educating underprivileged children, is being run by as many as 40 students of the university at a campus school for three hours every evening since 2007.

Skill training programmes are conducted in the disciplines of carpentry, welding, lathe work and forging for the villagers.

Remedial coaching is arranged for educated youths for entry into services and professional courses etc by the university staff. Various medical camps are being held for residents of Murthal village.

Plantation programmes, involving local people and students, are a regular feature of the university where saplings are provided free of cost every year from university’s nursery. Other community service programmes included a programme on language skills for schoolchildren by the Department of Humanities of the university and counselling of orphan children, school students and college going girls of Murthal.

Sirsa, November 30
The annual function of Air Force School, Sirsa, was organised in the local Air Force Station recently.

Group Captain GS Bedi, Station Commander of the local Air Force Station was the chief guest, while Mini Bedi, chairperson of the local unit of the Air Force Wives Association (AFWA), presided over the function.

Bedi, who is also chairman of the school, inaugurated the function by lighting a lamp before Goddess Saraswati.

Thereafter, the function began by chanting of Saraswati Vandana by the students of class IV. Schoolchildren left the audience captivated by their performances of recitation of poems, medley of rhymes, songs, dances, skits and other cultural items.

A skit depicting ill effects of felling of trees by UKG students was an eye-opener.

Hema Ludra, principal of the school, read the annual report of the school. Mini distributed the prizes among the students. GS Bedi lauded the kids for their performance.

Wing Commander S. Sanjiv, Flight Lieutenant Vinayak Godbole, deputy civil surgeon Narender Chaudhary, Dr Yogesh Sangwan, Dr Rachna Sangwan, Santosh Punia, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, RP Sharma, principal of Navodya Vidyalaya, and Rakesh Keswani, principal of Rajendra School, were among the guests from the town.

Jhajjar, November 30
Here is good news for those who wish to make their carrier in shooting volleyball and have been making serious efforts to popularise it across the state. The state government has decided to accord recognition to the shooting volleyball at school level in order to promote the game on a large scale.

Disclosing this while addressing a gathering at the closing ceremony of the 28th National Shooting Volleyball Championship organised at Government Senior Secondary School here recently, Education and Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal said, “The state government is committed to providing basic facilities for every game at village level so that budding players could come forward and polish their talent for national and international competitions. The government is giving a number of incentives to the players.” She added a new sports policy had been introduced under which the amount of cash prizes had been increased considerably, besides making a provision of reservation for the sports persons in the government jobs.

She maintained that sports stadiums were being constructed in the villages to make available better facilities to the players. So far, as many as 171 sports stadiums had been constructed in the villages.

Bhukkal also gave away prizes to the winners on the occasion. In the senior category, AIMS, Delhi, clinched the first prize and Rajasthan bagged second position in the championship and Vidarbha got first and Punjab achieved second position in women category.

In the junior boys category, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh stood first and second, respectively, whereas Maharashtra bagged first and Uttar Pradesh got second position in junior girls category. Vidarbha clinched first position and Punjab achieved second position in junior boys category. Similarly, in Sub-junior girls category, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra got first and second position, respectively.