Sunday, December 5, 1999
|
N E W S Sunday, December 5, 1999 |
|
weather spotlighttoday's calendar |
A sweet
and short show by Jassi, Anamika CHANDIGARH, Dec 4— It was an evening for the young and the spirited, when two popular singers from the world of Indi-Pop, Anamika and Jassi, lit up the ‘Pop Star Musical Nite’ at the Sector 16 cricket stadium, on Saturday. The show was presented as part of the inaugural day of the Chandigarh Carnival ‘99 by the Chandigarh Carnival Society, which is being hailed as millennium event by Chandigarh Tourism. With huge audience spread all across the stadium, both singers had it dancing and swaying to their hugely popular numbers. And as expected it was not only the masses at the back swinging to the music, many in even the VIP enclosure were seen making hesitant moves to the beats. Even the Advisor to the Administrator, Mrs Vineeta Rai could be seen tapping her feet to the animated numbers. It was Jasbir Jassi with his ‘Dil Lagayee Kudi Gujarat Di’ which set the mood for the evening, and which the singer had to dole out repeatedly on popular demand. With most of Anamika’s numbers being regularly played at all leading discotheques, all songs that she sang today proved to be a major hit with the audience. In fact, it was not only as a singer but also as a performer that ‘tiny’ Anamika made her mark with the huge crowds. Dancing and cavorting on the stage, while singing, everything from ‘kala sha kala’ to ‘Boom-Boom’ to ‘Intezaar’, Anamika had everyone wanting for more. Her bhangra songs, ‘sona disda’ from her new album ‘naina’, was also well appreciated by the people, while the ‘tumko piya dil diya’ song, which is currently on air, had hordes of people doing ‘thumkas’ along with her. She later sang a medley of other hit Hindi film numbers as well. Jassi with another Punjabi number ‘gabroo jataan dey puut chail chabeelay’, struck a quick rapport with the audience. And the audience seemed to be leaping for more when Jassi and Anamika hit the stage with ‘kala-sha-kala’ and subsequently ‘Dil lagayee kudi’. The crowd, however, seemed disappointed to let go these artistes in just about three hours’ time, since with free entry having been provided by the Chandigarh Administration, the entire venue seemed bursting with people. Veronica and her dance group provided extra colour on the stage, while dancing with singers. Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview late tonight Jasbir Jassi confessed that Dil Lagayee Kudi was a song straight from the heart. In fact even his new album, titled kudi-kudi has a number which is based on a Gujarati folk tune. Talking about his love for Gujarat, this very unpretentious-sounding singer said when he was very young, “not even of marriage-able age” he had fallen in love with a kudi from Gujarat, but because of family pressures his love did not materialise. Today, he is happily married to a Punjabi kudi, but added that “girl from Gujarat will always be in my mind somewhere, though I have never met her”. And as another piece of information about the girl from Gujarat, Jassi said she was now settled somewhere in Mandvi. About his music he informed that he had learnt from the likes of Puran Chand Wadalli and is also a masters in music, from Jalandhar. Hailing from Gurdaspur, village called Dalia, this plain-speaking star, said that he had also dabbled in theatre with Harpal Tiwana at Patiala. A former Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) with the Punjab Police, Jassi quit his job to finally join the bandwagon of the rising numbers of pop-stars in the country today. “I am a very ‘desi’ guy”, he proclaimed, “and I never expected any such fame or my song to rise the popularity charts so fast. In fact, there are times when all this makes me feel quite uncomfortable”. But then what was this desi guy doing in a video with scantily-clad women all around? “When a singer arrives on the scene he has no control over things like his video. So that was what happened with the video of Dil Lagayee... but I can assure all my fans that there would be no vulgarity in any of my forthcoming videos. I guess I have reached a stage when I can tell my producers and directors the kind of videos I want”. Jasbir Jassi said he himself was not too happy about the Dil Lagayee... video. Incidentally, this song was penned by the singer himself — a matter of the heart after all ! About his forthcoming album, Kudi-Kudi he said there was a change of an image with this album. Some very soft numbers like Sawan Di Raat Tip-Tip are included in his new number. He said new talent should be given a break in the industry. Citing his example, Jassi said, “There was a time when I used to go literally on my knees to the Jalandhar Doordarshan for show, but only when I became a hit did the channel give me shows and in fact now even run after me for the same. This is something that has always disappointed me”. And for the time being
Jassi says that he is busy doing live shows for his fans,
“a phenomenon that has always overwhelmed me”
and recording his new albums. |
Final
goodbye to pilot CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The mortal remains of Flying Officer Pankaj Kumar Joshi, who died in the MiG-21 crash near Zirakpur on Friday, were consigned to flames with full military honours at Sector 25 cremation ground today. The pilot, serving with the Ankush Squadron, had sustained serious injuries after bailing out from low altitude when his aircraft developed an engine problem. He died at Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir, yesterday evening. Hailing from Haldwani in Uttar Pradesh, Flying Officer Joshi was the only on of his parents. An alumni of the National Defence Academy, the 24-year-old officer was a good hockey player and fond of squash. He married Ms Payal about an year ago. The coffin, draped in an Air Force flag, was brought to the cremation ground from the Command Hospital. As per traditions, the deceased's parents and wife were not present at the cremation ground. Though they had visited the hospital where the body had been kept overnight, they were taken to Flying Officer Joshi's local residence thereafter. Air Force personnel reversed arms and a three-shot volley was fired as a mark of respect to the departed pilot. Buglers sounded the last post as the pyre was lit by his uncle, Mr J.C. Pandey. A large number of Air Force officers, besides relatives, were present. Wreaths were laid by Air
Officer Commanding 12 Wing, Air Commodore S.K. Banarjee,
Commanding Officer of the Ankush Squadron, Wing Commander
Malhotra, Chief Operations Officer, Group Captain R.N.
Merani, Chief Administrative Officer, Group Captain
G.K.S. Kalon, Commanding Officer of Himalyan Eagles
Squadron, Group Captain S.P. Singh, and Commanding
Officer of Camels Squadron, Group Captain Dev Nath. The
Superintendent of Police, Panchkula, Mr Sudheer
Chaudhary, and the Subdivisional Magistrate (Central),
Chandigarh, Mr P.S. Gill, were also present at the
cremation. |
Cable
operators plan protest CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Cable television operators in the city and Mani Majra will shut off their operations for 24 hours, from 10 a.m. on December 6 to 10 a.m. on December 7. This is in protest against the imposition of "heavy taxes" by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC). The MCC had passed rules and regulations for cable TV operators last week. A meeting of major cable TV operators was held today and it was decided to shut down operations to protest against the hike that would be passed on to subscribers. According to a signed statement issued by seven main operators in the city, this taxation by the MCC was irrational. Mr Pradeep Bansal, who attended the meeting on behalf of one of the top operators, said the idea of the MCC was to charge Rs 1 lakh per month from the main operators. Another Rs 1,000 is to be charged from the sub-operators, who hold franchise for one or two sectors. "We are not 100 times bigger than the sub-operators," Mr Bansal said, adding that the tax on main operators should not be more than Rs 10,000 a month. "We are not saying there should not be taxes as we are using government land. At present, we have no solution but to pass on taxes to subscribers," he said. Sources in the industry
estimated that the subscription of each connection might
go up by between Rs 15 and Rs 20 per month. |
New
PUNWIRE chief SAS NAGAR, Dec 4 — Mr D.S.Guru, Industry Secretary, Punjab, has taken over as the new Chief of the Punjab Wireless Systems (PUNWIRE) in place of Mr Gurpal Singh. Sources in PUNWIRE said Mr Guru called a meeting of Associate Vice-Presidents of the company today. As none of the senior
officials of the state government were available, the
reasons behind the removal of Mr Gurpal Singh could not
be confirmed. Earlier, the local police had registered a
case against the management of the Punjab Wireless
Systems (PUNWIRE) for not depositing the provident fund
of employees with the Provident Fund Commissioner from
October 1998 till date. |
Colour and
camels, kids and games CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — It was a day for children, when colour, games, entertainment, fun competitions and camels marked Chandigarh Carnival '99 today. The carnival was inaugurated by Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd) at Carnival village in Leisure Valley, Sector 10, especially erected for the event, by releasing colourful balloons. On the inaugural day today, a cultural programme was presented by 15 city schools and the North Zone Cultural centre (NZCC) in the morning. Various colourful items included malwai giddha from Punjab, bhangra, group songs, martial art-gatka, ghoomer dance, and a skit. It was in the early hours of the afternoon and also late in the evening that people thronged the village to enjoy the plethora of activities happening there. Hectic activities were noticed at the various workshops organised by the renowned artists of the region. In the "Friends of the Children" corner, several volunteers and social organisations had organised different workshops for the kids. The kids enjoyed jumping in sand pits, paintings, collage making, mask making, doing theatre, learning computers and multimedia, pottery, video film making and fun with waste material. The centre stage was held by the 'Antakshri' activity, which had a huge audience gunning for various hit Hindi songs. Another popular area was where artiste Prabal Pramanik exhibited his art of paper-cutting while telling stories to both the young and the old. The paint-your-vehicle also was an added attraction with the young crowd. For the tiny tots, the attractions included getting photographed free of cost with animal cut-outs and playing on various swings put up. In the Senior Citizens Canvas, on the theme of 'Chandigarh 2000', about 20 eminent artists of the city participated. Lt-Gen Jacob also painted a flower on the canvas. Foodstalls were set up, which gave the flavour of a mela to the event. Lt-Gen Jacob said the carnival is a good way to build the creative faculties of the youth. Mrs Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, said that she had tried to include the maximum number of agencies and organisations to make the carnival a gala affair. Lt-Gen Jacob also danced with the artistes on stage and held the baton to direct the Chandigarh Police Band to play the Quick march hanste lushai tune. The results of various competitions held are as follows: Clay modelling competition — (6 to 9 years): Sangam, GSSS, Sec 20 (1); Manju, GHS, Sec 25 (2); Poonam, GSSS, 38 (W) (3) (9 to 12 years): Navdeep, GMMS, Mani Majra (1); Ram Avtar, GSSS, Sec 27 (2); Kavita, GHS, Sec 25 (3) (12 to 15 years): Rajesh, GMSSS-33 (1); Sandeep, GHS-25 (2); Ajay Singh, GMHS-26 (3) (15 to 18 years): Jagdish (1); Tejwar Chauhan, GSSS-27 (2); Purnimal, GSSS-18 (3) Painting competition —(6 to 8 years): Aman Baat, Shishu Niketan-22 (1); Bharti Sharma, Carmel Convent-9 (2); Renu, GSSS-27 (3); Anirudh Bansal, DAV Public School-8 (consolation) (9 to 12 years): Mona, GHS-25 (1); Darshana, GMMS, Mani Majra (2); Arshjyoti Singh, AKS International Public School-41 (3) (12 to 15 years): Viney (1); Appurva, Shivalik Public School-41 (2); Govind Preet Singh, AKS International Public School-41 (3) (15 to 18 years): Swati Bhandari, DAV Model-15 (1); Simranjit Singh, Vatika School of Deaf and Dumb-11 (2); Cnetan, GMSSS-40 (3) Mask-making competition — (6 to 9 years): Satish, GHS-26 (1); Supreet Kaur, GSSS-27 (2); Atul, GHS-26 (3) (9 to 12 years): Dipti Kashuap, GGSSS-20 (1); Udesh Kumar, GHS-26 (2); Jai Kumar, GHS-2 (3) (12 to 15 years): Mohd Dinesh, GHS-26 (1); Hemant Kumar, GMSSS-10 (2); Kamelsh, GMSSS-20 (3). (15 to 18 years): Gayatri, GCG-11 (1); Geeta, GCG-11(2); Jagdish Kumar, GSSS, Dhanas (3). Rangoli competition — (School category): Asha Rani, Moti Ram Arya Sr Sec School,-27 (1); Satnetri, Haryana Model School-10, Pkl (2) (College category): Alka Singla, SGGS-26 (1); Shammi, Govt College-46 (2) Antakshri — (Group
A): Ritu Sharma, Shweta, Shalini, Vishal; (Group B)-
Meenu Palta, Jyoti, Nidhi, Tejpal. |
Punjabi
pop, right on top SAS NAGAR, Dec 4 — Punjabi pop music has served as a springboard for Punjabi singers to reach a wider audience, transcending the cultural and language barrier. Even Bollywood music buffs were tapping their feet to the rhythmic beat of Punjabi songs, said some known faces in Punjabi music, who were in town to perform at the eighth Dr MS Randhawa Sabhyacharak Mela, organised by the Punjabi Cultural Society here today. Sparing some minutes during a short break while performing at the mela, a writer-turned-singer, Devinder Khannewala, said Punjabi music was there to stay in Hindi films due to its vibrant rhythm. He credited the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for introducing the classical face of Punjabi music to the world. Pop music, in some numbers, fringed on vulgarity, was not of his taste, he said. Such form of music could best be described as a transitory form of music, he added. In his terminology, one required only ears to listen to good music and not eyes. He was hinting at some of videos of Punjabi pop numbers. He said like in Bollywood, writers of Punjabi songs were not decently paid. Due to this reason, writers now opted to sing their songs with a hope to make it big, he added. A hockey player-turned-singer, hardeep said Punjabi music industry was growing. There were budding singers and people ready to give the singers a chance. He said a singer was often associated with a hit number and usually the songs following it were not remembered by the audience. He opined that Punjabi singers shold come forward to perform free of cost at public functions like this mela. Meanwhile, foot-tapping Punjabi music set the ball rolling for the evening. A glider from the Pinjore Aviation Club had been requisitioned to drop leaflets, announcing the launch of the Punjabi film Shaheed Udham Singh directed by Iqbal Dhillon. The glider made some low passes over the audience, distracting the attention of the audience for few moments. Another singer, Raj Tewari, started his performance with a religious note by singing Eh sikhi da buta jo har than palda je. He went on to sing Sada naina da kasoor ho gya. He was preceded by a captivating performance by semi-classical singer Surjit Bindrakhiya. The famous number of Reshma Dama dum mast kalandhar, sung by Manpreet Akhtar, was widely lauded. Other singers who performed at the melan were Rajinder Moni, Balbir Sufi, Baljinder Dhillon, Rahjinder Sohni. Jassi made an appearance on the stage but did not perform. The mela continued till late in the evening. The Union Minister for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, spoke in praise of late MS Randhawa. He urged Punjabi singers to maintain the high standards of Punjabiat and shun vulgarity and other acts which lowered the image of Punjabi culture. Earlier, five persons,
Hardeep, a singer Devinder Khannewala, a song writer,
Inderjeet Singh, a bhangra instructor, Mr Gurnam Singh
Derabassi, an engineer, and Mr Jagdev Singh Jasowal, who
were honoured by Mr Dhindsa came to the mela site on
colourfully decorated camels in a mini-procession. Mr
Ajaib Singh Aujla, a cultural critic, was also honoured
on the occasion. |
Saturday
Night Fever CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Reed-thin models, illuminated by colourful blinking lights, twirled all around songbird Shail as high-wattage speakers boomed with the reverberating beat of tantalising music at a late evening dance party-cum-look of the year contest today. The December chill failed to freeze the thrill as pretty damsels in sleeveless silk bustiers with uncovered fair backs over silk sarees and below-the-navel tied long glittering dresses descended upon the polished dance floor. Their silky dresses changed colours — from yellow, to red, to purple as they wildly swayed right and left to the deafening beat of Stereo Nation’s “sanu chad ke na jaye sun bhaliya”. And as Shail picked up the cordless mike to croon “tera kadmo ko choo loo ga”, tearing passion broke loose. Jackets went off bare shoulders, even up in the air, as off-floor teenyboppers also tied the knots of the dancing shoes to loose the blues. But Saturday night fever did not take off till about 9.45 p.m. House Full was not written on the brass-plated oak door, but a crowd waited outside, impatiently. Pass holders shifted their weight from one leg to another for turn to enter. “Pass-less” hoped for a friendly gesture. Inside, it was smoke and sweet perfume. The wooden floor was reflecting the “intelligent light”. Vengaboy’s Brazil was reverberating against the decked up walls. Perhaps they were waiting for Shail. The pair dared to go on to the dance floor. Close dancing followed. His hands around her hips, her arms around his jacket-covered broad shoulders. They twirled all around. Then one joined, then another till the crowd shook, rattled and rolled. And it was not just for
the youngsters. Uncles in three-piece suits accompanied
with shawl protected wives sipped beer as the contestants
prepared for the traditional round. |
Cops will
now have to be computer savvy CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — All police stations of the city will be equipped with computers, which would be interlinked to the Police Headquarters in Sector 9. The nod for the proposal, which has been pending for quite some time, was finally given by Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), Administrator, UT, here today. The entire proposal would entail an expenditure of nearly Rs 15 lakh, under which all the 11 police stations will have the state of the art computers to help the officers in their work. The package, known as the Crime Criminal Information System (CCIS), was developed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and the city was chosen as a model, in view of the small area for its use so that any shortcomings could be removed before it could be used in other states. The computers would be mainly used by the investigation officers, who would have information about crime, criminals, their modus operandi at the touch of a button. Their work burden would be lighter and computers would greatly reduce paperwork. An added benefit was that even senior officers could review the progress of the work at the field-level easily. The Administrator also directed the department to improve its communication system and instal more hot lines, linking the local police with the control room of their counterparts of the northern states. Similarly, a hot line for the control room at Delhi and with the Inter State Police Wireless (ISPW) set-up would be installed. The latest wireless sets would also be procured by the police for more effective communication. This is the outcome of the surprise visit of General Jacob to the Sector 17 police station and the Police Control Room at the Police Headquarters, Sector 9 late last night. Unsatisfied with the upkeep of the police station, he had made enquiries from the reserve officer. He was reportedly unhappy as the toilets were stinking and there were no lights in the verandah and the stairs leading to the police wireless room on the first floor. He had also expressed his displeasure with the way records were being maintained at the police station. He later visited the PCR to understand the communication system used by the local police. He felt that there was scope for improvement, and today’s directions are a step in this context. On the other hand, a statement issued by the SSP said the visit of the Administrator was aimed at familiarising himself with the working of the PCR and communication system and was not a fault-finding visit. More emphasis would be laid on better linkage to the northern states, and hot lines would be installed. While the police had wireless communication with the northern states, now the adjoining districts would also be inter connected. One static wireless set
has been installed at the ISPW for prompt communication
with the PCR. Similarly, the latest wireless sets are
being procured by the police, the statement added. |
Planners
thrash out problems CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Problems confronting architects and planners were discussed threadbare at a technical session of the one-day interactive programme “On the threshold of the new millennium” organised by the Punjab Service of Architects Association at Government Museum and Art Gallery today. The meet brought together nearly 200 architects, including several retired Chief Architects of Punjab besides the serving Chief Architects of almost all northern States and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In fact, it was a meet with a difference where both those on the dais and in the audience were all architects or those working in the Department of Architecture. While some of the ex-Chief Architects spoke from their experiences, they did express their concern at the growing rate of violations and distortions in original building plans. Besides the technical session, which witnessed a long questio-answer session, there was a group photograph of all participants. Never before had such a meet taken place. The Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, who inaugurated the programme, complimented the architects’ fraternity for its excellent work during the past 50 years. Also present was Mr Mohinder Singh, Secretary, PWD and Architecture, Punjab. In the afternoon session, there was a lively technical quiz for which all participants had been divided in five teams named after the five rivers of Punjab. Questions were asked about those who designed major important buildings, including Sydney Opera House. In the evening, there
was a cultural event presented by the participating
architects.Then there was a group dance and bonfire. A story of valour and grit CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — ''Inshallah! We will have breakfast at Laungewala, lunch at Ramgarh and dinner at Jaisalmer," Brigadier Tariq Mir, Commander of Pakistan's 51 Brigade had boasted before attacking an obscure post at Laungewala in Jaisalmer on the night of December 4, 1971. On the morning of December 5, his 2,700-strong force, supported by an armoured regiment of 60 tanks, lay vanquished in the deserts of Rajasthan — A handful of infantrymen from 'A' Company of 23 Punjab, under the command of Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri etched a story of valour and sheer raw courage. They stood steadfast at their defences all through the night, thwarting the Pakistani advance. A generation after the historic battle, retired officers of the Punjab Regiment will commemorate the battle's 28th anniversary here tomorrow. Though the anniversary is observed every year by the battalion, it is currently involved in an operational task. The Battle of Laungewala is not only the story of a handful of infantrymen — 82 in all — who had fought a decisive battle, but also of how the consonance of operations by the army and air force sowed seeds of uncertainty and confusion amongst the enemy, which led to the disorganised withdrawal of the Pakistani attacking force. The whole night Pakistani forces probed Indian defences at Laungewala. The single strand of wire, meant to demarcate the post's perimeter, was mistaken as a minefield boundary marker by the enemy. While there was no organised minefield, it stopped them in their tracks. 'a' company, with its two 106-mm anti-tank guns and three rocket launchers kept the enemy at bay, throwing back one concerted attack and subsequent probes. By daybreak the next day, when Major Chandpuri's force was still holding off an overwhelming force of Pakistani infantry and tanks, the IAF took over. Guided by Major (later Maj-Gen) Atma Singh and Capt S.P.S. Sangha in air observation posts (AOP) in light aircraft, Hunter aircraft went in for the kill. The IAF busted 36 Patton tanks, with Major Chandpuri's anti-tank weapons accounting for another 12. One tank was captured in working condition, barely 500 metres from the post. The battle at night had truly belonged to the infantry, while the IAF paid put to Pakistani plans after daybreak. The Army held the fort at night when the Air Force was grounded, while the Air Force carried the day when a small infantry force was vulnerable to the enemy's overwhelming strength. Major Chandpuri, who
retired as Brigadier, was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Two Vir Chakras, two sena medals, one
Mention-in-Despatches and one Chief of Air Staff's
Commendation Card also went to 'A' Company, while the
battalion was conferred Battle Honour Laungewala. For
their decisive role, each IAF pilot who took part in the
operation as well as the two AOP officers were awarded
the Vir Chakra. |
Housing
finance scheme for PUDA applicants SAS NAGAR, Dec 4 — For the first time, successful applicants of different categories of duplex houses, being constructed by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) in this urban estate, under a group housing scheme, will be able to get loans under a housing finance scheme. To simplify the procedure of extending housing loans, PUDA had tied with some leading financial institutions and nationalised banks to facilitate the applicants to opt for the payment in easy instalments. A meeting between officials of PUDA and representatives of financial institutions like the Housing Development Finance Corporation, LIC Housing Finance Limited, the Housing and Urban Development Corporation, Hometrust Housing Finance Company Ltd, PNB Housing Finance and Corporation Bank to work out a common procedure for the allottees, who opted for housing loan was held here on Thursdasy. Sources in PUDA said housing schemes under which easy instalment housing loans would be given were in high income group (HIG) partially finished duplex houses in Sector 70, middle income group (MIG) duplex houses in Sector 66 and lower income group (LIG) duplex houses in Sector 66. While the HIG group
housing scheme — consisting of 31 houses — was
being opened on December 6, the opening scheme for the
MIG houses — consisting of 464 houses — would
be opened on January 14 next year. The 696 duplex houses
under the LIG housing scheme, consisting of 696 dwelling
units, would be opened on December 10. Each of the
housing scheme would close after 30 days. CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 (PTI) — A minor fire broke out in a coach of the Delhi-bound 2006 Shatabdi Express from Kalka in between Majri and Taraori railway stations near Karnal falling in Delhi division today. Ambala-based railway sources told PTI that the fire was suspected to have been caused by short circuiting in air condition circuitry. No one was injured as the fire was extinguished with the fire extinguisher available on board the train. The train resumed its
onward journey after a 40-minute delay. |
HUDA ‘ignoring’
water reservoir demand PANCHKULA, Dec 4 — The demand for the construction of an underground water reservoir in Sector 16 has been ignored since long by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The Residents Welfare Association (RWA) of the sector has brought up the matter along with other issues concerning the sector to the notice of HUDA several times but to no effect. The delay in its construction has been causing a lot of inconvenience to the residents in the area. The site for the water reservoir in the sector is provided in the master plan of the township and has been estimated to cost Rs 1.45 crore. HUDA had initially, three years ago shown an insignificant progress on the issue. The allocated site was cordoned off by erecting brick walls with cement jalis. So far the construction work for the water reservoir has not begun. The cordoned area is used by residents of Indira Colony as an open air public convenience. Also the area has been encroached by the migrant labour and is being used as a cattle shed. The erected wall has reportedly been partly demolished by the villagers. Foul smell emitted from the area makes life miserable for the residents. The General Secretary of the RWA, Sector 16, Mr Subash Papneja, said the construction of the water reservoir will not only put an end to such nuisance but also improve the water supply to Sector16 and adjoining sectors. The sector association has also urged HUDA to reduce the rentals of the public parks . Mr Papneja said that the two parks in the sector to which entry gates are provided have been cordoned off by the authorities concerned, reportedly with a view to stopping encroachments, misuse by stray cattle and for use on rental purposes. HUDA, following this, he said, had increased its rental for purposes of marriage etc to Rs 7,000 a day, out of which Rs 2000 is the refundable security. With HUDA’s policy to wall at least two public parks a year, the residents will be left with no choice but to abandon these parks for use on rental, he added. The maintenance of these parks has been given to private contractors who do not perform satisfactory work. The residents have appealed to HUDA to reconsider a change in the rental policy of public parks in the larger interest of the public. The RWA has also
expressed its dissatisfaction over the delay in building
the dispensary in the sector, besides poor state of roads
and street lights. |
Cultural
fiesta by kids CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The two-day annual cultural programme of Mount Carmel School concluded at LECMA, 3 BRD Auditorium, today with presentation of awards to 120 students for excellence in academics, best all-round performance and 100 per cent attendance. Mr Pawan Bansal, local MP, was the chief guest. Earlier, 350 students presented a cultural fiesta, including items like venga bus, twinkle land, save our environment and glimpses of the freedom struggle. The Rev Samuel John memorial rolling trophy was won by Shakespeare House. The Surinder Bala Gupt memorial trophy for the best all-round student in cultural activities went to Shivani Singh. The rolling trophy for best all-round performance in athletics went to Keate House. Ekta Chadha won the Ms Poonam Bhatt rolling trophy for the best all-round student of the year. Story-writing
contests: Mrinal Tayal, Alia Malhotra and
Shalini Prabhakar, students of Sacred Heart Convent
School won all three prizes in the story-writing contest
held at St John's School. In the colleges category, Neetu
Rani of Dev Samaj College, Arvind Kumar of Government
College, Sector 46, and Harpreet Kaur of Government
College for Girls, Sector 42, won first, second and third
prizes, respectively. In the parents and teachers
category, Ms Vijay Laxmi of Dev Samaj College, Kalpana
Sangwan of Mani Majra and Parveen Atwal of Government
Primary School, Burail, won first, second and third
prizes, respectively. |
Function
held SAS NAGAR, Dec 4 — The annual prize distribution function of Yeoman Public School, Phase 1, was held here today. Children presented a colourful cultural programme on the occasion. The chief guest, Dr V.K.
Goyal, a senior Medical Officer at the local Civil
Hospital, laid stress on physical exercise and proper
diet for students. |
Bail plea
dismissed CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — The anticipatory bail plea filed by a Sriganganagar resident, accused of being involved in the sanctioning of false claim in an accidental death case, was today dismissed by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Bedi. The applicant, Satnam Singh, working as branch manager, was apprehending arrest in a cheating and forgery case registered under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint of Maturity Manager with Pearls Green Forest Limited, Mr Viney Kumar. He had alleged that a manager, with the connivance of Satnam Singh, along with another accused, had got a false claim sanctioned after forging documents. He had added that Rs 1,77,720 had been withdrawn. Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution had stated that, as per the investigations, certain accused had got a bank account opened in fictitious name. After 60 days, the account holder was shown as dead. The claim was filed after preparing false documents, including the first information report and the post-mortem report. Earlier, during the
proceedings, seeking the grant of anticipatory bail,
defence counsel had stated that the accused was being
implicated in the case. Claiming the accused to be
innocent, counsel had stated that he had no connection
with the commissioning of the alleged offence. |
3 get
15-month RI in assault case CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — A story never ends. In November 1996, a youngster Sita from Bapu Dham colony, jumped into the Sukhna lake after entering into a “suicide pact” with one Meenu. He died. A few days later his three brothers attacked and injured the girl’s mother. Three years later, a city court today sentenced the accused to rigorous imprisonment for 15 months each. The prosecution story was brief. Meenu, a minor, was kidnapped by Sita along with a relative. The duo later jumped into the Sukhna lake. However, Meenu was pulled out alive by early morning walkers. Sita was not so lucky. He drowned. Efforts to locate the body proved futile. The body surfaced after six days. After about a month, the girl’s mother Savitri Devi was standing outside the house in the evening. Suddenly, accused Amar Nath and Balbir caught hold of her from behind while Balwant Singh raised a sword. She lifted her left arm in defence. The blow left the hand and the cheek injured. Unconscious, she was shifted to the PGI here. The trio was subsequently booked by the Chandigarh Police for attempt to murder and common intention under Section 307 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. When confronted with the incriminating evidence against them, the trio denied the allegations. Claiming to be innocent, they asked for a trial. Their counsel added that the three were being implicated in the case. Deposing before the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr G.S. Sandhu, their mother claimed that the FIR was lodged to pressurise her into withdrawing a complaint filed under Section 302 of the IPC, following Sita’s death. She had added that Sita was found missing after the proposal for marrying Meenu with him was rejected by her. Sentencing the accused to rigorous imprisonment for 15 months, besides imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 each, Mr Sandhu observed: “I am of the view that the prosecution has been successful in proving its case against the accused beyond any shadow of doubt by leading cogent and reliable evidence”. Mr Sandhu further
observed: “However, from the facts and circumstances
of the case, the provisions of Section 307 IPC are not
attracted. It is established that accused Balwant Singh
had caused grievous injury on the person of Savitri Devi
with sword with common intention of his co-accused Balbir
Singh and Amar Nath. Accused Balwant Singh is accordingly
convicted under Section 326 IPC, accused Balbir and Amar
Nath are convicted under Section 326/34 IPC”. |
Accused
denies carrying ladoos CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Denying the allegations of going to Model Jail in Burail village with "explosives in the shape of sweets" to blow up the prison, prime accused in the alleged jailbreak case Satnam Singh today also denied that ladoos were found in a bag he was allegedly carrying. Deposing before the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr R.C. Godara, in the makeshift courtroom at Model Jail, the accused also denied that the allegation regarding the recovery of 1.700 kg of RDX after he took a police party, along with the prosecution witnesses, to his house. The witness also denied giving his name as Charanjit Singh of Rally village during his visit to the co-accused in the jail prior to the alleged jailbreak attempt. The alleged conspiracy,
it may be recalled, was unearthed after accused Satnam
Singh was apprehended by the Chandigarh police in June,
1998. According to the prosecution, the explosives, in
the shape of ladoos, were to be employed for blowing up a
portion of the jail to release "hardcore
terrorist" Jagtar Singh Hawara and certain other
alleged assassins of the former Chief Minister of Punjab
Beant Singh. |
Fake
ticket sale accused gets bail CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — City resident Ramesh Chand Kumar, accused of being involved in the sale of fake parking tickets at the railway station here, was today granted bail by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash. He was directed to be released on bail after furnishing a bail bond of Rs 10,000 along with a surety of the like amount. Seeking his release on bail, defence counsel had stated that Kumar, an advocate, was not involved in the commissioning of the alleged offence. The Chandigarh police, it may be recalled, had registered a cheating and a forgery case under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. According to the
prosecution, two co-accused in the case, Ram Vinay and
Naval Kishore, were caught red-handed after a decoy
customer was sent by the police. Several fake tickets of
Rs 10 denomination were seized from the accused, the
prosecution had added. The two were subsequently directed
to be released on bail by the CJM after furnishing
personal bonds of Rs 15,000 each, along with sureties of
the like amount. |
Zirakpur
wards demarcated ZIRAKPUR, Dec 4 — The Department of Local Government of Punjab has notified the areas included in the 13 wards of the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat. The residents have been asked to file their objections and suggestions about the formation of the wards by December 6. The area from the intersection of the Ganda nullah and the eastern border of the nagar panchayat up to the Kalka road, has been included in Ward No. 1 which is reserved for women. The area from the barbed military area and the Kalka road intersection to the eastern end of the nagar panchayat and then from its southern end to the Ambala railway line, from the dirty cho (Ganda Nullah) to the Dhakauli road and up to the main gate of the gurdwara have been marked for Ward No. 2. Ward No. 3 will have the area form the intersection of the Ganda nullah and Dhakauli road to the railway line and then from this point to the southern end of the nagar panchayat and back to the barbed military area. This ward is reserved for the Backward Classes. Reserved for women of the Scheduled Castes, Ward No. 4, will cover the area from the Ambala road and the Kalka road intersection up to the Sukhna cho and then from the school street to the street where Mr Karamjit Singh's house lies, and then up to the Ambala road. Area starting from the intersection of the Ambala road and the street having Mr Karamjit Singh's house at one end to the southern end of the nagar panchayat and then the areas along the Ambala road have been included in Ward No. 5. Ward No. 6 will start from the intersection of the southern end of the nagar panchayat and link road to Lohgarh village, then cover the ring road of the village to Government Primary School, up to the southern end of the nagar panchayat adjacent to the Ambala road. The intersection at the western end of the nagar panchayat and the Rajpura road to the Ambala road will be the beginning point of the jurisdiction of Ward No. 7. Then from the adjacent Government Primary School road to Lohgarh village's ring road to Lohgarh village and then area of the nagar panchayat's western end has been included in this ward. The jurisdiction of Ward No. 8 starts from the place where the nagar panchayat's western end joins the road leading to Chandigarh. The ward also includes the areas up to the Rajpura road and the area of the Western end of the Nagar Panchayat. Ward No. 9 will begin from the intersection of the Sukhna cho and the western end of the nagar panchayat, then the ring road up to the Ganda nullah, the Kalka road up to the Chandigarh road and then the western end of the nagar panchayat. This ward is reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate. Reserved for a woman candidate, Ward No.10, will start from the intersection of two streets (a street having house of Mr Krishan Chand at its end and the second street with the house of Mr Rajinder Kumar at the end), to the eastern end of the nagar panchayat, then from the road leading to government quarters in Haryana to road to Panchkula, Baba Pir road and upto the street of Mr Som Nath's house. Ward No. 11 will have the areas starting from the intersections of the Sukhna cho and the nagar panchayat's northern end up to the road leading to Raipur areas adjacent to the Tribune Colony road up to the Bartana village road, from the street with Mr Sushil Kumar's house and another street having Mr Chand Kishore's house up to the village ring road and then the area up to the Sukhna cho. Starting from the place where Raipur village road meets with the northern end of the nagar panchayat, along with the northern and the eastern ends of the panchayat, up to the street ending near the house of Mr Rajinder Kumar. And then along a footpath upto the Baba Pir road and then the area up to the Raipur road will be Ward No. 12. Ward No. 13 will include
the areas from the intersection point of the road leading
to the Tribune Colony and the street having a shop of Mr
Mohan Lal to the street having house of Mr Sadhu Singh at
its end, then the area up to Baba Pir road to road
leading to Panchkula, Bartana road and the area up to the
Tribune Colony. The ward is reserved for a woman. |
3 killed,
5 hurt in road mishap KHARAR, Dec 4 — Three persons were killed while another five seriously injured in a road accident at Kurali yesterday. According to information received from the police today, Mr Purshotam Lal and his wife Mrs Rama Devi were killed when they were crushed by a truck (PB-12-A-4866) near the Kurali bus stand. Earlier, the same truck had reportedly killed one Gurmeet Singh on the Kurali-Ropar road. The truck also inujred five persons — Mr Ramanjot Singh, Mr Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Kirpal Singh, Mr Ram Partap and Mr Raj who were sent to the PGI, Chandigarh. The police has
registered a case under sections 279, 337, 338, 304-A
against the driver of the truck, Paramjit Singh. |
2 Union
Ministers arrive today CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Two Union Ministers will be in the city tomorrow.The Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav, will arrive by Shatabdi Express in the morning and would be felicitated at Tagore Theatre by the local unit of Janata Dal before addressing a Press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club at 1.30 p.m. In the afternoon, he
would be felicitated by the Chandigarh Traders
Association at UT Guest House. He would also meet
representatives of colonies and villages in the evening,
besides meeting Chief Ministers of both Punjab and
Haryana.Meanwhile, the Union Minister of State for Food
Processing, Syed Shah Nawaz Hussain, who passed through
the city on his way to Shimla today, would visit the city
tomorrow. Mr Hussain, who is also a general secretary of
the Bharatiya Janata Party, will address a press
conference at 3.30 p.m. |
3 BRD
celebrates Navy Day CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Navy Day was celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm at No. 3 Base repair Depot (BRD) here today. Officers and men of the Navy Liaison Cell (NLC) and Air Force personnel participated in the celebrations. The Air Officer Commanding, 3 BRD, Air Cmde Arvinda Agrawal, who was the chief guest on the occasion, extended his greetings to the naval personnel and their families stationed here. A memento depicting a naval landing craft offloading a tank on the seashore was presented to Air Cmde Agrawal by the Officer-in-Charge of the NLC, Commander Gurumail Singh. The NLC was established
at 3 BRD in 1982 for liaison with the Air Force for the
production and overhaul of aero-engines and rotables of
naval aircraft of Russian origin. |
SNIPPETS SCs warn government on quota PANCHKULA, Dec 4 — The Haryana State Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Employees Welfare Association, Panchkula, has warned the Central and state governments that an agitation would be launched against them if the policy on reservation in promotions is "tampered with." Stating this in a press note, the General Secretary of the association, Mr Ravi Dutt, said a state-level rally in support of the existing reservation policy would be held in New Delhi on December 13. The association has demanded that no reserved posts should be left vacant and the reservation policy in respect of promotions of Class I and II employees should be implemented in Haryana. Financial aid for SCs PANCHKULA, Dec 4 — The Scheduled Class and Backward Class Welfare Corporation, Haryana, plans to extend financial assistance to students belonging to the Schedule Castes and other backward classes to get coaching for competing in various entrance examinations. A press note issued by the corporation today said between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 would be given to eligible students domiciled in Haryana to attain coaching for the UPSC and banking recruitment examinations. The facility would be available to candidates whose total family income does not exceed Rs 44,500 per annum. Centre gets hi-tech X-ray machine PANCHKULA, Dec 4 — Charitable Diagnostic Centre in the Notified Area Committee is the first in the district to conduct tests with the highly sophisticated X-ray 300 machine. The machine is motorised to rotate at 360° without having the patient to change directions. It is not available even with the General Hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula. Panchkula wheat output target PANCHKULA, Dec 4 — Panchkula district is expected to achieve a target production of 56,000 metric tonnes of wheat in the current rabi season. This was stated by the Deputy Director, Agriculture, Ambala, at a Kisan Mela held yesterday at Lohgarh, near Pinjore. He said out of 74,000 hectares, the total area in the district, 34,000 hectares were under cultivation. Over 300 farmers attended the mela, where agricultural specialists informed them about the new developed varieties of wheat, such as UP-2338 and UPW-343896. They were also told about the latest farming techniques for increased productivity of crop and land-use, along with balanced manuring. Open school contact programme SAS NAGAR, Dec 4 — The Punjab Open School of the Punjab School Education Board will conduct a personal contact programme at its approved and allotted study centres for its candidates throughout Punjab and at Chandigarh from December 6 to 21. Ms Paviterpal Kaur, Deputy Director (Open School), said the students would be taught about the latest developments in the field of education. PU meeting inconclusive CHANDIGARH, Dec 4 — Students will not deposit revised fees till their demands are accepted, Mr D.P.S. Randhawa, President, Panjab University Campus Students Council, announced here this evening after a meeting between the representatives of the Council and the university authorities failed to arrive at a solution over increase in fees. Mr D.P.S. Randhawa said
students would not deposit the fees at increased rates.
Refusal to deposit fees would be part of ongoing peaceful
agitation without disturbing the academic atmosphere on
the campus, he added. |
 |
 |
| Nation
| Punjab | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | | Editorial | Business | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
