Women held with liquor
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — The police has arrested two women for possessing 100 pouches of liquor.

According to the police, the women have been identified as Seema and Rekha, both residents of Janata Colony. They were arrested when they were carrying 50 pouches each of liquor, said the police without specifying the place of arrest.

A case under Sections 61, 1 and 4 of the Excise Act has been registered.

Eve-teasing: Sunil Kumar, a resident of Maloya Colony, has been arrested from Sector 40 on the charge of eve-teasing. A case under Section 204, IPC, has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Injured: An unidentified person was injured when the scooter he was riding was hit by a Punjab Roadways Bus at Airport Chowk, near here. The victim was admitted to the Sector 32 hospital, while Jagpal Singh, driver of the bus, has been arrested and a case registered against him under Sections 337 and 279 of the IPC.

Car stolen: Mr Vishal Sharma, a resident of Sector 21-A, has reported that his Maruti car (CH-01-N-3180) was stolen from his residence. A case has been registered.

Complaint: Mr S.K. Vohra, a Sector 9-D resident, has complained that his furniture and other articles were thrown out by Kulvandhan, Samita, Anita and Anil from his shop-cum-flat during their effort to forcibly occupy the SCF. A case under Sections 147, 149, 448, 435 and 506, IPC, has been registered.

Six held: Five persons have been arrested while found roaming about under mysterious circumstances in different parts of the city.

One person was arrested while creating nuisance under the influence of liquor.

3 new kids on music block
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — With the music industry already full of new-kids-on-the-block, three more singers were introduced by a music industry in the city yesterday.

Shail, whose debut song Hello is doing the rounds of music channels these days, was introduced along with Devinder Khannewala and Ash Chandler. Devinder has released his debut Punjabi album, Nachde Ne Saare and Ash's debut album is titled, Husn.

Hello contains eight songs, composed and arranged by Biddu. The lyrics have been penned by Timon Singh and Nigar Sebhai.

Husn, another eight-track set, has music composed by Ash Chandler and Pravin Mani and lyrics by Shyam Bannerjee and Ash Chandler. Said Ash, "My album is a potpourri which amalgamates various streams of the pop genre, since it has both lyrical variety and diversity".

Devinder, who has given lyrics for well-known Punjabi singers like Sardool Sikander, Hansraj Hans and Harbhajan Singh, has penned lyrics for his own album as well. Music for Nachde Ne Saare has been composed by Surinder Bachchan.

Interestingly, none of these singers have any background of classical music training.

The singers also performed later in the evening at a hotel in Sector 10.

Mango dearer, pineapple cheaper
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 29 — A number of fruits have become costly during the last four days.

During a survey of the markets, it was found that a kg of good-quality royal variety of apple, available for Rs 40 two days back, could be purchased today for Rs 50. The wholesale price went up from Rs 600 to Rs 800 per 18 kg pack. Similarly, a kg of 'baggugosha', priced at Rs 30 three days back, could be purchased today for Rs 40. The wholesale price increased from Rs 300 to Rs 400 per 14 to 15 kg pack.

The biggest jump in price was recorded by mango. A kg of the fruit, priced between Rs 70 and 80 two days back, could be purchased today for Rs 100 in the retail market and for Rs 450 per 5 kg pack in the wholesale market. According to traders, only chausa variety of the fruit was available in the market as the season was over. Due to negligible arrivals, size and quantity of mangoes had been reduced from 18 kg packs to 5 kg packs.

On the other hand, pineapple became cheaper. A piece of the fruit, priced at Rs 40 last week, was available today for Rs 25. The wholesale price came down from Rs 25 to Rs 15 a piece. According to traders, the price decreased following arrivals from parts of Maharashtra. Guava was comparatively cheaper as it could be purchased today for between Rs 12 and Rs 15 a kg.

There was no change in the price of some fruits. A kg of golden variety of apple could be had for Rs 25 in retail market and for Rs 300 per 17 kg in wholesale market. Similarly, banana was priced at Rs 20 a dozen in the retail market and at rs 120 per 100 pieces in the wholesale market. Plum was available for Rs 40, papaya for Rs 15 and pomegranate for Rs 40 a kg.

Principals in poll fray

OF the three Principals who filed their nomination papers for the lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, two have been left in the fray while the papers of the third have been rejected on technical grounds. Interestingly, Chandigarh is one parliamentary constituency which has repeatedly been trying to send an academician to the Lok Sabha.

Principal, Mata Ram Dhiman is the candidate of the Bahujan Samaj party and is supported by the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal and the Marxist Communist Party of India. He and his wife, Usha, started a school in Manimajra. In fact, Mr Dhiman started his career as a teacher at a private school with a monthly salary of Rs 20.

The second Principal in the fray is Ram Pal Hans, a self-made man and a postgraduate in Economics. After his stints in the Janata Party and the Janata Dal, he now heads his own party — New Congress.

The nomination papers of Principal Gurbachan Singh, a nominee of the Nationalist Congress Party headed by Mr Sharad Pawar were rejected on technical grounds. Perhaps no other constituency has so many academicians in the poll fray. All the three use "Principal" as a prefix.

Independents

The Independent candidates for Lok Sabha elections continues to nurse a grievance that they are being discriminate against by the Election Commission. In a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr M.S. Gill, the President and Vice-President of the Independent Candidates Union — Mr Jaspal Singh and Mr Kamal Kakkar — have criticised the discrimination meted out to Independent candidates compared to candidates of political parties.

They said that this discrimination was against the basic philosophy of the father of the Indian Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, as the present election system favoured "big and powerful" while Independents are left to fend for themselves. To eliminate them from the contests, new guidelines are being issued every time, thus depriving them of even their right to contest. They maintained that the minimum requirement of 10 proposers, no supply of voters' list to them and no facility to reach out to masses by using electronic media as was being done in the case of candidates of political parties were some of the examples which proved discrimination.

The union wants that all candidates whether they have been put up by a party or are independents, should be treated at par. Now when the coalition government have come to stay, Independent candidates have been making the maximum contribution in providing some stability to the Union Governments, the union added.

Letterbox

Letterboxes are installed at different places for the benefit and convenience of the general public. It is not possible for the Department of Posts to guard each and every letterbox, says Mr S.P. Jain, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Chandigarh.

In a letter to Sentinel, Mr Jain has referred to an item in Chandigarh Calling on August 9 about a letterbox lying open at Manimajra. He says that close to this letterbox is a big water tank where children and others come to take water. Some of the children while playing with the lock of the letterbox had allegedly removed it. It was noticed and the missing lock was replaced without any loss of postal items, claims Mr Jain.

He maintains that letterboxes cannot be guarded without public cooperation.

Ideas man

Ever wonder who designs the decorations for the official functions on the Republic Day, the Independence Day and the industrial exhibition "Chandikrit" in the city? Or who provides the artistic input for the official calendars of the Chandigarh Administration?

Well, the man behind these things is Sanjeev Arora, fine arts teacher in Government High School, Sector 7-C. Arora, has been involved in a number of such projects for more than a decade. In the past two years he has been providing artistic inputs for designing the official annual calendar of the Chandigarh Administration.

Last year, he was given the state-level award on Teachers Day. His idea of decorating the venues of major official functions like the school games venue, rose festival, among other events won another appreciation last year. This time at the Independence Day celebrations he decorated the Tagore Theatre. Now he has taken on a new challenge of designing nurseries. He has already done up the nurseries in Sectors 33 and 34.

School show

Last week, the young and the old music lovers of Chandigarh had a taste of "Smike" staged by the boys of St John's High School at the Tagore Theatre. Based on Charles Dickens "Nicholas Nickleby" it was a production with a difference.

It had no big theatre names to flaunt, being a totally school show. Directed by the Principal, Bro. C.D' Abreu, "Smike" struck an instant rapport with the audience, who could empathise with the poor orphan, "Smike" and idolize Nicholas Nickleby, the "revolutionary" teacher.

With a cast that had boys in the age group 9 to 15 years, the play reflected the hard work put in by the students and teachers. The choir sang both soulful and foot tapping numbers to near perfection. The 18th century sets were well executed. The choreography complimented the music by Mosin Menezes and his hand from Delhi.

In a nutshell, the boys were able to convey the message of the musical with conviction and enthusiasm.

Disrespect

The general public and officials seem to be unaware of the importance of the National Anthem as was noticed during a subdivisional function organised on the Independence Day at Government High School, Dera Bassi.

Even as a group of girl students was singing the National Anthem, school children moved about freely in the playground. A section of the audience, including certain civil and police officials, were seen making movements while the National Anthem was being sung.

On, off, on...

It is a mystery how and on what grounds government employees are suspended by one government and re-instated by the following government and then again placed under suspension for indefinite periods.

The case of Mr Ripudaman Sharma, Deputy Director in the Department of Public Relations, Punjab Government, is a glaring example. He has just completed two years of his second suspension — this time by the Akali government which had first re-instated him.

On June 2, 1997, the Badal government dropped inquiry against Mr Sharma on the basis of "Previous outstanding chequered record", "honesty" and "dedication to duty". And on July 10, 1997, his five annual increments were also released. But on August 21, 1997, Mr Sharma was again placed under suspension for writing a satire on corruption. And since then he continues to be under suspension and without payment of any salary or allowances.

Voice of Medico

It is in the fitness of things that a quality news journal is to be produced from the city of Le Corbusier. In his Charter of the City, the Master Planner had hoped that the city would grow into a centre of excellence in the field of print and media.

Many have tried to measure up to the dreams, few have succeeded. It is in this context that the fortnightly Voice of Medico journal is to be welcomed.

Produced on art paper and edited by a senior journalist of the region, Surinder Khullar, the paper professes not only to be the mouthpiece of the medical professionals but also promises to bridge the gap between the professionals and the aware citizens.

The large middle class today may not need to know all about health, ailments and the remedies, but with the boom in the formation technology, everybody wants to know much, if not, everything related to health. Thus readers want to know about the issues which the political parties should be addressing and scandals that affect the medical education and its practice. People also want to know about the general state of affairs in the health sector.

It is in this context that the Voice of Medico has made a fair attempt. It is to be noted that it has not excluded any stream of medicine, thereby raising hope that it would not neglect the interests of the general readers. We wish the journal luck.

What's it?

Is it a "bhool bhulayian" or "jantar mantar" in the making? Every visitor to the Sector 33 Terraced Garden is left wondering after seeing a half done structure, about which nobody, not even the Municipal Corporation authorities, responsible for the upkeep of the garden, knows.

The structure is under construction for the past about two years, but is still far from completion, and in a way offers a mystery to visitors. Even the civic body officials conceded that they knew nothing except that it is some sculpture and is a part of a scheme to promote tourism in the city envisaged by the UT Administration. The officials did not know when the structure would be completed.

Crime against women unfortunate

IT is unfortunate and disheartening to read about atrocities being committed against women even after 52 years of Independence. Not a day passes when we do not hear or read about torture and harassment of women. Women are subjected to physical assaults, mental torture, psychological tension and sometimes even denied the basic needs of life for bringing insufficient dowry. The worst of all is that they are even killed for the sake of dowry.

Dowry is a very old custom of our country. It was out of love and affection that parents of girl used to give some gifts on the marriage of their daughters. But now, it has become a money-earning racket. Not only people who are not well settled in life demand dowry and make lives of their women miserable, even affluent families are not far behind.

Demand of dowry is not only prohibited under the law but also amounts to cruelty. To eradicate the evil of dowry, there is a need for awareness of law which can be brought through social and voluntary organisations, especially NGOs associated with women causes. These organisations should hold special awareness programmes where educated and uneducated women are made aware of the law.

Society has also to change its attitude towards widows, deserted/separated and divorced women. Persons committing crimes against women should be publicly condemned. Anti-dowry cells should be created and given more powers to take action. Voluntary organisations, particularly women organisations, should launch demonstrations in front of houses of those persons who are found guilty of harassing women. Employees found guilty of exploiting women should be dismissed from jobs.

More facilities should be provided to women to work and become financially independent. Illiterate women should be encouraged to go for self employment in stitching etc. ‘Single women’s homes’ on the grounds of ‘old age homes’ should be opened. This will help unmarried, destitute, widows and divorced women to live in a secure and protected environment without becoming a burden on anyone.

It is hoped that the above suggestions, if implemented effectively and whole heartedly, will go a long way in freeing women from the clutches of this evil.

Sanjay Khurana
CHANDIGARH

Old vehicles

Every now and then statements are made by the authorities concerned about withdrawing old automobiles on the plea of pollution and environment. Isn’t it a fact that most of the old, even very old models of vehicles, are kept in good shape and are much better than the new models? It is a well known fact that the older the model, better is it taken care of by its fond owner. As is evident from vintage cars which take part in old car races etc.

On the other hand, government buses, private trucks, government staff cars are more harmful and cause pollution as is evident by the smoke they emit. Such vehicles should be removed by the traffic police from roads and allowed only when their defect is removed and they do not emit smoke above permitted levels. This should be the criteria for road worthiness of vehicles and not their age.

Further, taking such vehicles off road should be temporary and such vehicles should not be condemned for ever. Can a poor country like ours afford such an extreme step? It needs to be pondered over seriously.

Janak Khanna
PANCHKULA

Mika nite

The news item that appeared in your newspaper on August 22 regarding Mika nite has not provided the right information.

The item stated that the Chandigarh Models Association claimed that the Administration was the co-organiser of the event . This is not true.

We never stated what the reporter has written. None of the newspaper releases or any other public releases carried the information stated by the reporter. The item mentioned that we omitted the name of the chief guest from the invitation card, which is not true comments on choreography, light and sound arrangement and security were unfair. Maybe what your reporter did not like was appreciated by the public. On the whole, the item showed a negative approach of the reporter. Also, it was not fair to comment on the competence of the artiste.

Jonita Doda
President,
Chandigarh Model Association

Aid for jawans

There is no greater sacrifice on this earth than to give one’s life for his /her country. Pakistan has been a source of nuisance for India for the past more than than 50 years, since its independent existence. It has attacked our country three times since then and every time was badly beaten. Pakistan is one of the worst extremist countries in the world. It is also famous as a drug trafficking centre. Why the world is sitting silent on this topic is a big surprise for all peace-loving countries of the world.

Regarding Operation Vijay, families of those brave jawans, killed in action should be offered at least a sum of Rs 10 lakh as domestic bank deposit and Rs 5 lakh should be given to injured jawans.

Jawans who have been incapacitated and maimed with serious and multiple injuries and won’t be in a position to do any job, should also be given Rs 10 lakh as domestic bank deposit. This should be apart from the routine government facilities given in such cases in the Army.

These brave sons of India should not have any financial constraints in their future life, and should be free from at least financial worries.

Kamlesh Puri
PANCHKULA

Pension issue

Kurukshetra University has started the implementation of pension scheme. Pension is the right of an employee who has served any institution for 20 years or more by giving the best and the most productive years of one’s life to it. Panjab University is one institution which has not implemented the pension scheme. Neighbouring universities of Panjab, Delhi and now Haryana are taking care of their old. Some people have fed the government with wrong figures and the whole thing has been sabotaged by mischievous people for their personal and political ends.

Hardit Singh Gill
SAS NAGAR

B.Ed admission

This is to bring to your notice the admission schedule announced by Panjab University, Chandigarh, for the B.Ed colleges all over Panjab and Chandigarh. The admission are starting on August 27 and will continue up to September 4. The admissions will be held daily and are being organised at Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh.

September 3 is a day sacred to Hindus as Janamashtami falls on this day. Panjab University has not bothered about the fact that a large number of Hindus will be on fast this day.

In view of this, it is requested to Panjab University to not conduct admission on September 3.

Students seeking admission to B.Ed
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