No kidding, MC serious on playgrounds
Proposes one for each sector, to identify sites for UT approval
Aarti Kapur
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
If a proposal mooted by the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation sees light of the day, children in the city, who otherwise find it difficult to find a place, will have playgrounds in almost all sectors.

The proposal came up for discussion in the General House meeting of the MC. A decision was taken to identify sites for playgrounds in each sector. The proposal will be sent for approval to the UT Chief Architect.

MC Commissioner VP Singh assured the House that a communiqué would be sent to the chief architect’s office with a request for an early approval.

A majority of the councillors reached a consensus on the issue on the floor of the House and were of the view that there was a need to develop playgrounds in each sector as children are left with no other option but to play in gardens, greenbelts or small parks in their sectors.

The children have to face the wrath of morning and evening walkers who stop them from playing in parks saying the grass and plants will be damaged.

Residents, especially evening walkers in the Sector 3 Bougainvillea Garden, have been at daggers drawn with boys who play football there. The residents have been complaining that evening walk in the garden was no more a pleasurable experience as they fear of being hit by the football. “The groups playing in this garden are not children, but youths. Many times, the ball has hit the passers-by,” said nominated councillor Amrit Tewari. She said if the authorities develop playgrounds, it will solve the problem of walkers as well as children.

‘Good for us’

The youngsters were left with no other option but to play in the greenbelt or the nearby park as there are no playgrounds in the area. Framing a proposal will not solve the purpose until it is implemented

— Gaurav Verma (15), a resident of Sector 19

I lost interest in playing outdoor games as residents of the area kept on complaining to my parents that they were hit by a ball. It’s a welcome step that the authorities are coming up with such a proposal

— Saksham Sharma (10), a resident of Sector 22

Chief architect’s office sitting on proposals

Congress councillor Pardeep Chhabra raised a point during the meeting that the proposal of developing playground in Sector 15 was discussed in the House earlier too, but the MC was still to get approval from the chief architect’s office.

• Referring to the projects approved two years ago, he revealed that two proposals of playgrounds in Sector 22 were approved by the House, but have not been cleared by the chief architect. He said due to the delay in the approval, two sites which were approved for badminton courts have been converted into parking sites
• Similarly, the proposal for developing a playground in Sectors 18, 19 and 21 was also put on hold by the House and the officials were directed to first get the sites approved before tabling the agenda in the House meeting

Pre-Divali bonanza for MC councillors
To get Rs 10,000 honorarium per month
Tribune News Service

Heard in the house

• BJP councillor Arun Sood suggested that a study be conducted on the requirement of cycle tracks in the city as authorities were wasting precious money on its re-carpeting even as the residents were not using the same
• Nominated councillor DS Sandhu complained that some of the sub-committees had lost their purpose as no meetings had been held in the past four months, which include apni mandi and enforcement committees
• Nominated councillor Surinder Bagha demanded that a policy for regular maintenance of the machinery should be drafted as most of the machinery is damaged due to delay in repair
• The House constituted a sub-committee to study the need for hiring a consultant for the solid waste management as recommended by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and asked it to table the report in the next House meeting
• Nominated councillor Amrit Tewari alleged that the officials intentionally delayed sending agenda of the road committee to her and Surinder Bagha in the recent past

Son to carry forward Jaspal Bhatti’s legacy
Vivek Gupta
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
A day after the tragic death of satirist-actor Jaspal Bhatti, his son Jasraj Bhatti today said he will carry forward his father’s legacy. Jasraj said his father was a positive person and he never thought of losing him at any stage of his life. “Though he is not with me, his aura, love and advice will always be with me. I will always remember him for his work,” he added. Sporting a tee shirt of his debut movie Power Cut, Jasraj said he had a long way to go.

Recalling the dreadful night, Jasraj said he was driving the car when the accident took place. “We left from Bhatinda after having dinner around midnight. Dad and Surilie Gautam (the lead actress of Power Cut) were sitting in the rear seat and I was driving the car with event manager Navneet Joshi sitting on the co-driver’s seat. Normally, dad would keep discussing something, but since he was tired due to hectic schedule, he dozed off. I was also feeling drowsy,” said Jasraj.

“I vaguely remember that after the accident, Surilie was crying in pain and dad came out the car and said something. I was losing consciousness but I thought everybody was fine, including my sad.”

But destiny had some else in store. He was told that his father is no more after he reached home from Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana.

Civic neglect: Here’s how dengue can strike you
Stagnant water in fountains poses a clear threat, but do the municipal authorities care?
Ritika Jha Palial
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
Veteran film director Yash Chopra’s death, arguably caused due to dengue mosquito breeding in a fountain at Yash Raj studio, may have shocked the nation, but the authorities in the city seem to be unmoved.

Tall claims of the municipal corporation of spraying mosquito repellents in all fountains in the city have fallen flat, with a random survey by the Chandigarh Tribune finding larvae breeding in the stagnant water in some of the fountains.

Experts said a layer of anti-mosquito oil remains visible in the water after spraying repellents. During the survey, the layer of oil could not be seen in any of the fountains.

At Sector 17 plaza, mosquitoes could be seen breeding in the stagnant water of the fountain. It appeared as if it had not been cleaned for months together. Cigarette butts, wrappers of eatables and even larvae could be seen on the surface of the water.

Situation was no different at the Terraced Garden in Sector 33 where dirty water has accumulated. Larvae could be clearly seen breeding on the surface of the water. The fountains at the road separating Colony Number 4 and Hallo Majra and at the Green Belt in Sector 30, too, present a picture of neglect.

The experts said these fountains should remain non-functional post-monsoon (September till November). Dr Rajesh Kumar, head of the department of community medicine, said, “Ornamental water bodies, especially the fountains, should not function during the peak dengue and malaria season. If at all, the authorities want to keep these functional, these must be dried up once a week.”

The MC officials, meanwhile, claimed to have taken adequate measures.

When contacted, Superintending Engineer Public Health, MC, RC Diwan, said, “Following the Commissioner’s directions, issued two weeks ago, repellents were sprayed in 36 fountains across the city. Our engineers had procured the oil after consulting the UT health department.”

Dengue cases

At city hospitals: 377; affected residents of city: 227; dengue deaths in tricity: 6

Symptoms

• High fever, severe headache, severe pain behind eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash and mild bleeding.
• The health department has served seven notices to residents for not taking preventive measures in Hallo Majra and Raipur Khurd during an inspection.

Suspected dengue death at GMCH-32

In a suspected case of dengue, a woman died at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, on Friday. A resident of Sector 45, Madhu, was admitted to the hospital three days ago. Doctors said it could not be ascertained whether the woman died of dengue.

Schools yet to take preventive action
Vivek Gupta
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
Despite the number of dengue cases witnessing an increase, the authorities in the city are yet to swing into action to prevent its spread. So far, the directorate of school education has not issued directions to government school authorities asking them to take preventive measures.

The school authorities, when contacted, stated that fumigation needed to be done in the schools.

Vinod Sharma, headmaster of Government High School, Sector 34, said, "We get the place cleaned everyday, but the authorities should issue a list of dos and don'ts. Also, repellents must be sprayed regularly."

Harbir Singh, principal, GSSS, Karsan, said despite asking the officials concerned to spray repellents, nothing has been done in this direction. "The authorities concerned must take steps to check dengue."

Experts said the schools must ask students to come in full-sleeved shirts and trousers.

Students should also be told to apply anti-mosquito repellents everyday.

Apart from general cleanliness, the schools must also check accumulation of water on the school premises.

Headmaster of Government High School, Mauli Colony, Rajesh Kumar, said it was a tedious task for schools in semi-urban slum areas to maintain cleanliness, but efforts were on to keep the surroundings clean.

Headmaster of a school at Maloya Colony, Sector 28, Supinder Singh, said fumigation was not being done in schools.

The school authorities said a zone-wise plan needed to be chalked out in collaboration with the health department so that fumigation was carried out in schools on a regular basis post-monsoon.

Regular inspection of schools is a must.

Private schools should be made a part of the plan.

On the issue, DPI (Schools) Upkar Singh said steps would be taken in this direction.

The authorities of private schools have claimed to have asked parents to send their wards in full dress.

Naresh Sharma, head of the anti-malaria unit of health department, said repellents were being sprayed in schools. Of the 25 private schools, fumigation was done in 10 schools.

Molestation
Rathore's gunman yet to be arrested
Hina Rohtaki
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 26
Even after 24 hours, the Panchkula police has failed to arrest the gunman of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore, who had reportedly molested a woman yesterday.

The driver and the domestic help of the former Haryana DGP were produced in the Panchkula court today, which sent them to judicial custody.

It was yesterday when driver Ramkishan, gunman Devinder Kumar, along with domestic help Chander Pal, were booked by the Raipur Rani police on charges of molestation and eve-teasing.

Devinder was present at the spot, but the police did not arrest him.

While the police arrested Ramkishan and Chander Paul from Rathore's farmhouse at Badhor village near Raipur Rani.

"Raids are being conducted to arrest Devinder," said station house officer of the Raipurrani police station, Raj Kumar.

Rathore was present at the farmhouse when the incident took place.

The police sources said the accused, who came from the farmhouse to Raipur Rani to fetch some goods, made victim Prem Lata and her 15-year-old daughter sit in their Maruti car on the pretext of giving the duo lift to a "majaar" in Dakra village.

Prem Lata and her daughter tried to jump from the vehicle, but the accused forcibly dragged them back into the vehicle. However, she managed to come out of the car and screamed, following which some local residents gathered at the spot.

Chandigarh scan
Gov wishes Eid

Russian artistes perform at a cultural programme at Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Vinod Sharma, MLA from Ambala, attends a sufi singing programme at Sector 12 in Panchkula on Friday.  A Tribune photograph

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Shivraj V Patil extended his good wishes and greetings to all the people on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha on Friday. The festival is observed in the commemoration of Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim, for his unflinching devotion to Allah. In a message, Patil said that Id-ul-Zuha symbolised the spirit of sacrifice, manifested by unshakable faith and firm commitment. The day also reminded us about the need to foster peace and harmony among all and to care for the disadvantaged sections of the society, he said.

Free eye camp

Dr Amrik Singh Cheema Foundation Trust (DASCFT), a non-profit organisation working for the betterment of the underserved population in this region, held its first eye camp today at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, on Friday. This eye screening was part of the DASCFT Health Education Initiative launched in July 2012 with a focus on health prevention. The programme was held in collaboration with a team of optometrists and pphthalmologists from the government and private sector as a collective effort to screen over 600 children in the age group of 7 to 12 years for refractive errors. Knowing that 80 per cent of blindness is avoidable, still the public lacks awareness, the organisers said. The organisation is encouraging the participation of all members of the society in general and the parents of the students in particular to take a community approach to promote good health, they added. Around 20 doctors participated in the camp.

Swiss delegation meets Patil

A four-member delegation led by Ambassador of Switzerland to India Dr Linus Von Castelmur called on Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Shivraj V Patil at Punjab Raj Bhavan on Friday. Discussing various issues at length, Mr Patil, said, “India enjoys mature bilateral relations and strong socio-cultural linkages with Switzerland.” Mr Patil asked the ambassador about tourism in Switzerland. The ambassador informed the Governor that they had constituted a governing board for the promotion of tourism.

Encroachments removed

Municipal Corporation enforcement wing removed encroachments from the markets of Sectors 15, 22 and outer areas of the sectors. During the drive, 100 challans were issued to the violators. The enforcement team removed and seized all the material lying in the corridors of the markets. Seven trucks were loaded with the items seized during the drive.

Congregation

Ambuja Cement Foundation-I, TI Migrant Project, Daria, organised a congregation event-cum-advocacy meeting in collaboration with the State AIDS Control society, Chandigarh and Steel Authority India Limited (SAIL), on the premises of SAIL, Daria. In the keynote address, Sumit Kumar welcomed the chief guest and all the participants. Explaining the working of targeted intervention projects in Chandigarh, chief guest Dr Vanita Gupta said HIV is a disease which cannot be identified by any symptoms. It can only be known by a blood test. It is not a communicable disease, she said. She said besides mobile ICTC van, there are ICTCs at Mani Majra, GMCH-32, GMSH-16, PGI, and ESI, Ramdarbar.

Sampark centres to remain closed

Sampark and Gram Sampark Centres will remain closed on Monday on the occasion of Valmiki Jyanti.

Bakar ID
More than 6,000 goats sold
Vivek Gupta
Tribune News Service

Goat sellers at Bakra Mandi on the eve of Bakar-Id in Mani Majra on Friday. Tribune Phoo: Nitin Mittal

Chandigarh, October 26
More than 6,000 goats were sold since last week at Bakra Mandi near Mani Majra as part of Bakar-Id celebration. The Uttar Pardesh’s Barbari breed, known for its weight and looks, remained the favourite among the buyers. Other breeds, including Pahadi and desi, too fetched good price.

The average price of a goat was around Rs 12,000 to 15,000, while there were some that were sold at Rs 36,000.

Abdul Sattar, a trader near Bhogpur, Pinjore, said he sold more than 100 goats in past one week. He said he sold a number of goats at Rs 30,000. Mohammad Taswur, a buyer, said, “The look and weight of the goat must be right. A goat with any physical deficiency is out-rightly rejected.”

At the mandi, goats were sold at double the usual price. The traders bought the goats from Himachal and UP.

Salim, one of the traders, said “People here don’t pay much as compare with Delhi and Mumbai.”

Treat of ragas for music lovers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
The three-day 35th Annual Sangeet Sammelan commenced at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sector 27. The event is being organised by the Indian National Theatre. The music meet started with the performance of three well-known artists Rupinder Kaur, Piu Sarkhel and Biswajit Roy Chowdhai.

Rupinder Kaur, well known vocalist from Dehradun, presented Shabad Gayan. She has received her training in classical music from late Dr Sarayu Kalekar of Rampur Sadarang Parampara, and is still receiving training from Sulochana Brahaspati.

Piu Sarkhel, one of the very few artistes who represent the Indore Gharana of vocal music, presented the rare intricacies of Raga Rageshwari, and presented Vilamiobat Khayal and two Dhrut combinations. Her father Sh Kamal Bandhopadhyay, under whom she took rigorous training, initiated her to the world of music.

Biswajit Roy Chowdhari’s sarod recital made the audience spellbound. He played Raga Yaman Kalyan. He has trained under the well-known Maihar Gharana sitarist Indranil Bhattacharya as well as sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

Tomorrow evening, renowned artists Padma Talwalkar along with Pt Suresh Talwalkar will be performing at the meet.

There can be no peace without gender equality, says expert
Our Correspondent

Mohali, October 26
A two-day international conference on ‘Women, Peace and Security’ was held on the Punjabi University campus here today.

The conference was organised by Women’s Studies Centre, Punjabi University, Patiala, in collaboration with Centre for Women Global Leadership, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA and PHDRE, USA. Anne F Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women in South Asia, in her inaugural address said resolution 1325 (200) had finally recognised women’s rights to protect from violence. “The only way to achieve our goals to build sustainable peace and to achieve prosperity is through full contribution of governments, civil society and the private sector,” Stenhammer said. But she said there can be no peace without gender equality. Managing conflicts and rebuilding societies are no longer the exclusive preserve for men but demand fair and equal participation of women to achieve the vision of a word free of the courage of war, poverty and gender discrimination.

In a thought provoking keynote address, Dr Govind Kelkar, senior advisor, Rural Development Institute, New Delhi, said the social protective mechanism of property ownership as opposed to income generation may be elucidated by the fact that at a fundamental level the security provided by land is more certain, as it is not subject to fluctuations of the labour market. Nesara Khatoon, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, speaking on the occasion said religious and societal values can play a greater role in bringing peace and security through equality in the society. Dr Edgar J Garrett, Prof of General Business at Texas A&M University, USA, also spoke on the occasion.

UT set to hike lease amount of clubs
Rajinder Nagarkoti
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh Club in Sector 1. Tribune photos: Parvesh Chauhan

Chandigarh, October 26
After the controversy of the Central Club, Sector 9, which was recently opened after the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the UT Administration, is all set to increase the lease amount of all the clubs in the city.

As there was huge difference in the lease amount of various clubs as compared to their area, the UT Administration is now trying to frame a uniform policy for all the clubs, which were on lease in Chandigarh.

UT Finance Secretary VK Singh said that the process of finalising the lease amount of all the clubs are under process and within a week or two they would finalise the amount. He further added that they were studying the formula of the Delhi Golf Club lease and other methods as well.

Vinod Talwar, president, Central Club, said that before finalising the lease of the Central Club, the UT Administration should compare the area of the Central club with that of other clubs of the city. Besides, there is no commercial activity in the Central Club but few other clubs are doing so. The Central Club is mainly for the senior citizens of the city and the Administration should keep this thing in mind before finalising the lease money, he added.

Sources revealed that the Administration was also considering hiking the proposed monthly charges (see the box) to five times, if there was any kind of commercial activity in the club. Moreover, the lease of the Chandigarh Golf Club was over in 2008 and thereafter, the UT Administration failed to finalise the new lease amount. But now, on the basis of new rates, the UT Administration will charge new lease money retrospectively from 2008.

Sandeep Sahni, president, Chandigarh Club, said that the Chandigarh Club was promoting sports activity and the Administration should not impose charges for commercial use of the club. The restaurant and the bar facility is only for the members and the guests accompanying them, he added.

Whereas, GS Sandhu, president, Chandigarh Golf Club, said that, as they had not received any communication from the UT Administration, therefore, he would not be able to comment on the issue.

Recently, the UT Administration had sealed the Central Club, as the managing committee of the club had failed to pay the dues. Thereafter, the Central Club representatives had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The High Court directed the UT Administration to open the club and the club authorities were asked to pay arrears within a month.

500 doctors to be recruited in Punjab, says Health Minister
Our Correspondent

Residents take part in a marathon organised to create awareness on breast cancer in Mohali on Friday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Mohali, October 26
As many as 500 doctors would be recruited in Punjab to meet the shortage in government-run institutions, Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said here today. Mittal, who was speaking to mediapersons after giving away prizes to the winners of a marathon organised to create awareness on breast cancer, said a cure for cancer was possible if the disease was detected at an early stage.

A house-to-house survey, which began at Faridkot, was now being conducted in the state to collect data on cancer. Cancer patients, who cannot afford the treatment, were being given assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

The Health Minister said the government would hold mega medical camps in all districts on the pattern of that organised in Badal village. In November such a camp would be held in Mansa, and in December-January in Batala and Tarn Taran. Patients would be examined at the camps and medicines would be given free of cost.

The minister said the government was fully aware of the dengue situation and had purchased fogging machines to check the spread of it.

The marathon was organised by the Punjabi Cultural Welfare Society, Harmony Health Care, the Harsimran Singh Nanu Sidhu Memorial Trust and the Sukhdev Singh Gill Memorial Welfare Club.

Those who secured the first position in the marathon in various categories were: Below 17 years: Rajdeep Singh; Above 17 years (general category): Vishal; Senior Citizens: Amrik Singh Shahi Abranwan; and Girls: Navjot Kaur.

In Panchkula e-challaning to start today
Hina Rohtaki
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 26
Hassles of standing in long queues to get your challan will be a thing of the past in Panchkula, now. For the first time, e-challaning for violation of traffic rules will be introduced from Saturday onwards in Panchkula.

The e-challaning system was inaugurated by Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Ranjv Dalal at the Traffic Park, Sector 12, Panchkula, here today. The system has been put in place to reduce paper work and to simplify the process.

Panchkula is second to implement e-Challaning system in the Haryana after Commissionerate of Police, Faridabad. The remaining districts of Haryana are yet to adopt this technology.

“e-challan is an electronic format of the challan which depicts `a receipt for payment or delivery. Now, the traffic challans at the spot of violation will be generated electronically through a hand held computer instantly instead of manually filling up the challan form,” said Dalal.

He further added, “In the system, the previous record of traffic violations made by the driver also gets checked, whether he has been a repeated offender or not. If yes then higher penalties can be imposed.”

The hand held computer device is connected to a central server through a mobile phone internet connection. The information is permanently stored on this server. The stored data will also be utilised to generate different reports for research and analysis.

If anyone violates a traffic rule, a computerised challan slip will be generated on the spot and he will be asked to pay the compounding fee. If the individual does not have the money then, he will either surrender his original RC or driving license (DL). In case he is not carrying the original RC or DL (or permit in case of transport vehicles), the vehicle will then be impounded and challan will be issued. If the violator chooses to pay the compounding fee later, then he will have to first deposit the compounding fee at the challaning branch established at the HUDA Traffic Park and then approach the police station concerned to get his documents or the vehicle released by showing the paid challan slip issued by the compounding branch. In case of a wrongly parked vehicle getting towed away from anywhere in Panchkula town, the vehicle can be traced only at the Sector 14 police station in Panchkula.

Commissioner of Police (CP) KK Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Parul Kush Jain RSO, Subhash Kapoor, All presidents of the RWA were also present on the occasion.

Truce between civic body councillors, officials costs exchequer Rs 1.25 lakh
Aarti Kapur
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
A truce between the elected representatives and officials of the municipal corporation (MC) has cost the state exchequer Rs 1.25 lakh. A month after launching a tirade against the MC officials for inaction on inquiries conducted against the MC employees, the councillors did a volte-face during the general house and decided to omit entire proceedings of the last house during which the officials had staged a walkout against the use of unparliamentary language by the councillors on the floor of the House.

Resultantly, there will be no official record of the proceedings of House for the month of September.

Much to the annoyance of the general public who had hailed the councillors for being vocal against the “inefficient” official machinery, the councillors in a U-turn were seen praising the same officials for their efficiency, taking the visitors in the gallery by surprise.

Sources said behind today’s newly found bonhomie, several rounds of close door meetings were held to effect a compromise between the two groups. “Over Rs 1 lakh of the precious public money was wasted by the municipal corporation in conduct of the proceedings. If the proceedings were to be quashed, the councillors and officials should be held accountable”, said Sachin Sharma, general secretary of the Youth Innovative Society.

As the general house meeting started, nominated Councillor DS Sandhu proposed to omit all the minutes of the last general house meeting. Congress Councillor Sat Parkash Aggarawal also supported the issue and suggested that decorum of the House be maintained and proceedings should be conducted peacefully. Incidentally, he was one of the councillors who had insisted that action be taken against the officials in the last meeting.

Going a step further, Congress councillor Subhash Chawla came in direct support of the officials by suggesting that a workshop should be organised for all the councillors to acquaint them with the proceedings of the House and their rights and duties. “ Adequate time should be given to the officials to reveal the facts of any query raised by the councillors on the floor of the House as they do not have all the records available at the meeting”, he said.

He further mooted a proposal that time should be fixed of each councillor to raise a query so that there is no unnecessary discussion on the floor of the House. Opposing to it, BJP councillor Arun Sood stated that it was not feasible to fix the time limit of any discussion in the House.

When the BJP councillors complained about the bad sanitation condition in the city and made the officials responsible for it, the Congress councillors while deciding to omit proceedings of the last meeting were over protective in guarding the officials against any fresh onslaught by the BJP councillors.

‘Cong intentionally boycotted meeting’

Heated arguments took place between the Congress and the BJP councillors on the allegation levelled by the electricity committee chairman and BJP councillor Arun Sood that the Congress councillors purposely avoided attending the recent committee meeting even though all of them were present in the city. He alleged that a majority of the issues tabled in the meeting were that of the BJP, the Congress councillors intentionally boycotted the meeting

Respiratory problems up
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
Going by the hygiene hypothesis of experts in the city, respiratory problems among children are on the rise, since the children are less exposed to pollution and spend a majority of time in air-conditioned set-ups.

Experts at the PGIMER said despite the fact that the level of pollution in the city is relatively lower, children are falling prey to respiratory problems, including asthma and allergies.

Dr Menu Singh, professor at the department of pediatrics, PGIMER, said, "Exposure to sunlight boosts immune system in children. Sneezing in morning and nasal blockage at night are the common forms of allergies among children."

The experts stated that in Chandigarh allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was affecting a large number of children. The allergy is caused due to seepage inside household.

Factory raid
8 children rescued
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 26
Eight children were rescued by the Anti-human trafficking cell today after the former were found working in a factory at Barwala. During the investigation, it came to light that the children were working for the past many years.

It was after the cell received a tip off that the factory owner had deployed a number of children to work that the team, including the labour inspector conducted a raid at the factory.

“We found that the children were made to work for more than eight hours. All children are about 13 to14 years old. After receiving a tip off, we conducted the raid,” said Inspector Rajnish Kumar of the cell.

Labour inspector Satya Taneja along with some officials of the Child protection and the Anti-Human trafficking Cell were also on the spot.

Tata launches club class sedan
Tribune News Service

Tata Manza Club Class being launched in Chandigarh on Friday. A tribune photograph

Chandigarh, October 26
Tata Motors today launched its next generation car, the Tata Manza, a club class sedan.

Speaking at the launch, Anand Totla, regional manager of Tata Motors , said, “Customer centricity is the hallmark of the Tata Motors. The Tata Manza Club Class delivers premiumness. With the new Tata Manza, we are the first to introduce features never seen in its class.”

From schools
Sports meet

Chandigarh: About 500 students from 7 zones participated in a sports meet hosted by Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sec 40-D. A small cultural programme was also organised that comprised of a song and dance performances.

Exhibition

The Social Science Club and the Math Club of Mount Carmel School, Sector 47-B, organised an exhibition on the school premises. Students of Classes IV to XII participated in the exhibition.

Dasehra celebrations

Class VIII-C students of St Soldier School, Sector 28, presented a special morning assembly to celebrate the Dasehra festival. The triumph of good over evil was depicted through an enthralling skit titled ‘Mahisha Sur ka Vadh’ in which Goddess Durga with her divine power was shown saving the world from the clutches of the demon.

MRA School

Panchkula: Students of MRA School celebrated the Dasehra in a traditional way. They prepared the effigy of Ravana and also enacted some scenes from epic Ramayana. Principal Dr U Kapatia encouraged the students to follow the path of righteousness.

St Xavier’s School

Mohali: The weeklong Dasehra celebrations took off with inter-house competitions like “pooja thali” decorations, sandwich making and mask making at St Xavier’s School. A special assembly was conducted to emphasise upon the significance of the festival. A skit was also staged by the children that gave the message of victory of good over evil. The day ended on a high note with some fun games organised for the staff. Principal Mrs Georgina Roy wished everyone and gave away prizes to the winners.

St Joan’s School

On the eve of Dasehra celebrations, the teachers of St Joan’s School, Zirakpur, highlighted the virtues of celebrating the festival. The students performed colourful scenes from Lord Rama's life to mark the day. The celebrations come to an end with the effigy of Ravana being set ablaze, symbolising the victory of good ever evil.

Ashmah School

Ashmah School celebrated Dasehra with religious fervour on its campus. Scenes from Ramayana were enacted on the stage. A rally was also conducted in Sector 70 to give the message that Dasehra could be celebrated in the true sense by getting rid of our vices.

Sri Sukhmani School

Dasehra was celebrated in the kindergarten section of Sri Sukhmani International School, Dera Bassi. A fancy dress competition was organised where students came dressed as different Ramayana characters.

Tribute to soldiers

AKSIPS Smart School presented a spellbinding combination of dance and poetic melody in the form of “Koshish — A Musical Tribute to Indian Soldiers” as part of the Annual Day Celebrations at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh.

200 senior citizens attend function

200 members of the Senior Citizens’ Association, Mohali and Chandigarh, visited Lawerance Public School to attend a special function organised for them. The function began with a welcome song followed by a “qawali” and fusion dance staged by the students of Classes VIII, IX and X. On this occasion, the senior citizens also walked on the ramp, and the students of Class X acted as judges to choose the winners. The senior citizens were also called on the stage to dance on songs from 1950’s. School principal Veena Malhotra thanked the attendees. — TNS

Students stage protest at NIIFT
Demand degrees instead of diplomas as promised by authorities
Our Correspondent

Mohali, October 26
Students of the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) continued with their protest against the failure of the authorities to award degrees instead of diplomas to those passing out of the institution.

Students stayed away from their classes and raised slogans against the college authorities. The protesters said they were being awarded diplomas on the completion of their courses even when they had been promised that students passing out from 2010 onwards would be given degrees. They said their future was at stake as it was difficult to get an admission to postgraduate courses on the basis of these diplomas.

The students said the present batch of students would have to pay a fee of Rs 70,000 per semester. Obtaining only diplomas after paying such a hefty amount of money was totally unjustified, they said.

Director of the institute Vishav Bandhu said that since 2010, students had been demanding that they should be awarded degrees instead of diplomas. An assurance was also given to them by the management in this regard. The Punjab government had initiated the process of affiliation to the National Institution of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi. An MoU was also prepared for getting the affiliation, but the process could not be completed as NIFT had changed its policy.

The director said efforts were still on, but only the fresh batch of students would be able to get degrees. Those who had already passed out would be offered bridge courses, he added.

Online registration begins at UBS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 26
The online registration for admission to the two-year management programmes of University Business School (UBS), Panjab University (PU), for the session 2013-14 started today. The last date for registration is November 27.

For registration, students can visit the website http://ubsadmissions.puchd.ac.in. The online registration will remain open till 5pm on November 27.

The hard copy of the application, along with the necessary documents, should reach the institution latest by December 10 up to 4.00 pm. The minimum requirement for the admission is an aggregate of 50 per cent marks in graduation.

Panjab University will consider Common Aptitude Test 2012 score for shortlisting of candidates for these courses. No separate entrance test will be conducted.