Making the best of a Sunday
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — Large crowds descended on the Sector 10 Leisure Valley on the concluding day of the two-day Chandigarh Carnival, as it had something to offer to people in all age groups. Today being a Sunday, the crowds increased as the day progressed, and by the afternoon, the Carnival village was jampacked, with the children’s corner and the food stalls witnessing maximum rush.

The day began with the senior citizens’ walk from the Leisure Valley which drew a good response. The oldest participant in this competiton was 82-year-old Mr D.R. Seth. Women in the age group 65-70 also participated in the walking competition.

One of the main highlights of the day was the Shaktimaan fancy dress competition, as children in large numbers vied with each other to catch a glimpse of their favourite hero, Mukesh Khanna. It was a dream come true for the students of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula when they shared the stage with Shaktimaan here today. A group of 20 Hansarians, all in Shaktimaan outfits danced to the theme song of this popular serial, which is viewed by children all over. While interacting with children, Khanna categorically specified that stunts should not be done by them. They should follow the message of the serial instead, he added.

Hectic activities were witnessed at the workshops organised by renowned city artists for the children. The stalls of ‘Get your portraits sketched’ and ‘Get your-self tattooed’ put by the students from Government College of Art drew overwhelming response from chil-

dren and parents alike. In another stall in the ‘Friend’s of children corner’, kids were taught origamy, the Japanese art of paper folding. Various other activities like painting, collage- making, cartooning, mask making, fun with waste material, puppetry and pottery-making also attracted participants for competitions.

Among other attractions were camel rides and the toy train. Children were also fascinated by the mini zoo, where children of GMHS-36 were attired as various animals and got an opportunity to get themselves photographed with the animal cutouts. Apart from this, free counselling was being provided to parents and teachers as regards the problems of special children. The National Informatic Centre had also set up a branch to create general awareness about computers, multi- media, web-designing, encyclopaedia, art form and painting.

The North Zone Culture Centre organised folk dances at the main stage for the entertainment of the huge crowds. The Antakshri competition was organised in two groups. While Surilay, harleen, Sonia, Geetika and Mannikas were the winners of group A, Joshilay, Suman Rana, Neha, Seema Rani and Rajesh were the winners in group B.

Promila Varsheny of Arts College bagged the first prize in the mehndi competition, while Jagdish Kumar of GSSS-Dhanas won the second prize. The third prize was jointly shared by Surbhi Chaudhary of Government College for Girls and Sonika Kohli of Panjab University, Chandigarh.

In the ‘Paint your face’ competition organised by the Government College of Art, Sakshi Malhotra and Ritu came first, while Nitin Sharma and Aditi Sangwa bagged the second prize, and Ina and Vinima Gulati got the third prize. The ‘Paint your vehicle’ competition was organised by the College of Art, and Michal, Akhil, both from GCA-10, and Shveta of GCG-11, were adjudged first, second and third, respectively.

Crowds also thronged the food stalls set up by the Food Crafts Institute, CITCO, Hotel Aroma, Mezbaan, Kerala Samajam, Rajasthani etc. A wide variety of food was made available to the people at reasonable rates. The ‘Food and Fun’ games, organised by the Food Crafts Institute, in which one was expected to eat food items like pastry without using a spoon, were a big hit. However, a few stalls selling milk bottles did not attract much rush, perhaps due to a change in weather.

The last item of the day was the ‘Hasya kavi sammelan’, in which prominent poets regaled the audience with their rib-tickling poetry.

Shaktimaan takes the cake

Sonoo Singh adds: Dressed in his brown-coloured Shaktimaan suit, adorned with glittering stars and other such fantastic embellishments, Mukesh Khanna, in his baritone voice said. “My serial and my character Shaktimaan have always aimed towards teaching the kids the values of discipline and a spiritual course of life. In fact the serial has never shown any kind of mindless violence”.

In an exclusive interview with the TNS at the UT Guest House, Sector 5, Mukesh Khanna, who was in the city in connection with the Chandigarh Carnival ‘99, talked passionately about Shaktimaan and the hows and whys of the serial being mired in controversies, and another “major” television project based on special effects.

“I would like everyone to know that even while my serial was surrounded by all these controversies, not for once was it taken off the air. I did suffer a lot in those six months, when one false story after another dogged me all around. Even the TRP ratings of the serial fell down”, lamented Khanna, who today came across as an ever-more confident and a dashing Shaktimaan.

Detailing the unsavoury contentions surrounding the serial, he said that even Doordarshan acted hastily to announce that the serial would be taken off the air, after they heard about a boy from Nasik who put petrol over him and immolated himself. “But I sued both Doordarshan and UNI for planting the stories without any basis”, Khanna informed.

He then added that he had even hired some detective agencies to find out the real matter behind the stories being circulated, and found that “ in none of the incidents children had actually enacted the scenes of Shaktimaan because there are no scenes where children have been shown to jump over buildings or burn themselves”.

Shaktimaan, which is modelled on the American character, Superman, who is a journalist trying to protect mortals from unscrupulous villains, has now in fact earned a name in the Limca Book of Records as the first Indian comic series to be inspired by a television serial.

This one-time Bhishm-Pitamaha of Mahabharata said: “Never has the Superman been shown hanging from a wire, but Shaktimaan was de-mystified because I believed that it was the right thing to do”. And recalling his Mahabharata days, he said that the character was very strong in itself, “and even now if people ask me to bless them, I say Ayushmaan Bhave, just as Bhishm-Pitamaha would have said”.

But are not these roles very limiting in themselves? “I did more than 40 films after Mahabharata, and was also cast as a villain in some. But the only disadvantage I felt was that I was being offered elderly roles. From Feroze Khan to Shah Rukh Khan, I have played every one’s father, and International Khiladi was my last film. But today I do not want to do any ‘bearded’ roles, and want to be my age”.

After Shaktimaan it seems like a natural progression for Mukesh Khanna to go into making of a television serial that deals into special effects. And that is precisely what his next step would be. “I am now interested in a project on the lines of Star Wars”, he said.

For the time being the limelight today was just on the Shaktimaan today, when hordes of city children queued up at the Carnival Village, Leisure Valley, Sector 10, to meet and be photographed with their super-hero who lives in this world of fantasy.

The village seemed virtually teeming with ‘Shaktimaans’ of various shapes and sizes when the school children of Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula, dressed up in the popular Shaktimaan uniform presented a cultural programme today afternoon. They shared the dais with Mukesh Khanna.

The price of popularity
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH: With a bevy of star-struck kids crowding the Carnival Village at the Leisure Valley, Sector 10, to have a look at the wonder-man Shaktimaan, Mukesh Khanna, the mood of the afternoon was bubbling with both excitement and anticipation of meeting this Superman-like hero. But most kids had to go back disappointed when they could hardly get a glimpse of their much-loved but controversial hero. The very-short appearance had the crowds clamouring for more, and reportedly, some of his fans traced him back to the UT Guest House, Sector 5, where even his clothes were almost ripped off! The price of popularity, indeed!

Witty anecdotes bring house down with laughter
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — “The sense of humour in our country is still in its infancy”, said the king-of-wit and humour, poet Surender Sharma, who was in the city today to take part in the Hasya Kavi Sammelan, as part of the Chandigarh Carnival ‘99, at the Leisure Valley.

Talking to TNS, this ‘straight-faced’ Haryanvi poet explained that it was only after the British left India that the freedom of speech was available to all. “In fact, all those years when we were being ruled over by the British, satire could hardly be written. It is now that satire and humour are being worked upon”.

Commenting on the level of humour and satire in our country, Sharma said, “We still need to laugh upon ourselves, since we have only learnt to laugh upon others. But I would still maintain that it is improving at all levels, unlike the form of ghazal, which has deteriorated over the ages. Who has been able to say ghazals like Ghalib or Faiz did?”

On the issue of the role of satire in our lives, Surender Sharma , who seemed to be in a very serious mood today, said, “Humour and satire needs to do its bit in awakening people. But today, what is reflected in our humorous poetry is our frustrations”.

Most of his poetry also reflected this sombre mood of his, since through his poetry he commented on highly-predictable Hindi films, criticised the country’s stance of going nuclear and spread the message of equality and unity when he called for a Sunehra Bharat.

On a lighter note, when asked about his ability of maintaining an expressionless face while reciting the funniest of lines, he answered in his expected tongue-in-cheek manner, “If a person is diabetic, it does not mean that he cannot open his own sweets shop!”

Later at the sammelan, large crowds gathered, with Surender Sharma being the main attraction. Though only four poets were on stage, they managed to bring the house down with laughter with their flowing contemporary-witty poetry.

The poets, besides Sharma, included Om Prakash Aditya, Mahender Ajnabi and Ved Prakash. With Surender Sharma taking centrestage, who broke the ice with the audience by introducing these three poets to the sprawling audiences as Gandhi’s teen bander, the next almost two hours had the entire crowd in splits.

The first to come on to the stage was Mahender Ajnabi, who first presented some humorous lines, often seen written on the rear-side of trucks and then went on to recite some of his popular verses. One of his verses, describing the rush inside a railway compartment said, Hamari Bagal, Ek Mahila Ka Bachcha Ro Raha Tha, Aur Hamari Peeth Thap-Thapayee Jaa Rahi Thee.

He was followed by Ved Prakash, whose lines, inspired by Laloo Yadav, were cheered by the crowd, when he recited, Hamarey Natayon Ke Taste Ko Kya Ho Gaya Hai, Ghar Mein Rabri Rakhi Hai, Khud Chaara Kha Rahein Hai. To this, Surender Sharma retorted, “After more than 20 years of marriage, even the chaara outside would taste sweeter than the rabri inside”.

Laughter and merriment continued with Om Prakash Aditya, whose poetry on the impending gloom that descends on students with examination, was well brought out in his verse, which said, Main nahin darta, Pralaya, Maut Ya Toofan Sey, Kaapti Hai Rooh Magar Imtithan Sey.

Surender Sharma’s poetry, directed towards the wives and the Indian males, as always, was much appreciated by the crowd. But his humorous poetry, many a time, gave way to serious tone today, when he read out lines on Kargil and the wounded soldiers and berated the politicians, Kya Tamasha Hai, Desh Pey Mitney Key Liyee Hamare Betey, Aur desh Ko Mitaney Key Liyee Tumhare Betey?

Poor state of street lighting
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 5 — Residents of Sector 70 have drawn the attention of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) towards the poor state of street lighting in the sector. Some instances of anti-social elements taking advantage of darkness have been highlighted by the residents.

The social welfare association of the sector in a representation to the Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) of PUDA, Mr Dipinder Singh, said a number of streetlight points had not been operating for the past few months.

It said recently a migrant labourer had fell into an open manhole in a pocket of the sector. Besides, insects and reptiles came in way of the people strolling on the roads. Mr J.S.Dhillon, a member of the residents welfare association, said some of the pot-holed roads, coupled with non-functional streetlights were posing a problem for the road users.

In the representation to PUDA, the association said most of the non-functional streetlight points were in front of one-kanal and 16-marla houses. Besides, in the absence of proper lighting in a garden developed by the Horticulture Department in the sector, residents had stopped visiting the place after darkness.

Discrimination by PUDA alleged
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 5 — The local Sanatan Dharam Sabha has alleged discrimination in allotment of land for construction of a temple and dharamshala in the town by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA). It said a site had been allotted in Phase X, inspite of PUDA’s claim that it had no provision in its policy to allot sites for religious purposes.

Mr T.N. Sharma, President of the sabha, in a representation to the Additional Chief Administrator, SAS Nagar, said since there was no temple in Phase X, residents had to go other phases for religious and social functions. The PUDA had been urged to allot a 4 kanal site for construction of a temple and dharamshala.

Murder suspect in police net
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — It was the sale of a colour TV set, an LPG stove and a cylinder, which led to the arrest of the main suspect in a blind murder case reported in the city a few days ago.

According to the police, a decomposed body was recovered from an abandoned toilet of a slaughter-house in Industrial Area on December 2. At that time, the police could not ascertain the gender of the deceased and the body was sent for a post-mortem examination. The body was in a highly decomposed state and some of its parts had been reduced to mere skeleton.

During investigation, the Station House Officer of the Industrial Area police station, where a case under Section 302, read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (murder and conspiracy), had been registered, received secret information that Ranjit, who lived in a jhuggi in Colony No 4, had left his jhuggi with his wife. It was also found that Ram Awadh, who owned the jhuggi, was also not reporting for work at Rally’s India at Dera Bassi for some days.

Further investigations revealed that Ranjit had quit his job in Industrial Area here. He had also sold a colour TV set, an LPG stove and a cylinder, which belonged to Ram Awadh. Suspecting Ranjit to be involved in the disappearance of his cousin, Ram Awadh, the police followed him and took him in custody.

Interrogations revealed that Ranjit (30) and Ram Awadh (27) were cousins and belonged to Kurihar village in Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh. They had been living together in the jhuggi for about four years. Though Ram Awadh was also married, his wife lived in village in UP. In June, Ranjit brought his wife to Chandigarh.

Investigations further revealed that Ram Awadh allegedly developed illicit relations with Lakshmi, wife of Ranjit.

On the night of November 9, when Ram Awadh was sleeping in his jhuggi, Ranjit attacked him with an axe. After Ram Awadh died,his body was kept in the jhuggi until the next night. Late at night on November 10, Ranjit wrapped the body in a bedsheet and dumped it in the abandoned toilet of the slaughter-house.

During interrogation, Ranjit confessed to his crime. The police recovered the axe used in the crime and also the blood-soaked bedsheet in which the body had been taken to the slaughter-house.

Both Ranjit and Lakshmi have been arrested and will be produced in court tomorrow.

Suicide attempt by model?
From Gautam Dheer

PANCHKULA, Dec 5 — A young amateur model hailing from a small town near Chandigarh was brought to a local hospital under mysterious circumstances in a critical condition on December 3, following an alleged attempt by her to commit suicide.

The girl, who was spotted in a semi-conscious state along the sides of a road near the Mansa Devi complex by a serving Army officer and a civilian, was taken to the hospital in a serious state.

Although the girl has refused to admit the act of suicide, medical reports by doctors revealed that it was a case of drugging through the consumption of tablets of Amloprex and some sedative.

The girl reportedly used to undertake modelling assignments in the region — her latest performance had been at a fashion show in Panchkula a few weeks ago.

Reliable sources reveal that the girl was sexually assaulted, following which her boy-friend, who resides in Panchkula, deserted her. They also revealed that the act was committed by someone who was linked to her professionally during her modelling assignment career. The girl was discharged this morning from the hospital.

However, no case has been registered by the police as the girl refused to formally file a complaint against the culprits.

The episode has put a question mark on the authenticity of many event management companies and fashion show organisers in the region who apparently seem to have more than professional interest at stake.

Jungle law in Bihar: Hussain
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Mr Syed Shah Nawaz Hussain, has accused the Bihar Government of inaction on a case relating to an attempt on his life at the Kishenganj parliamentary constituency last month.

"The main accused in the case has been moving freely and has not been arrested. Some persons have been arrested in the case, mainly under pressure from the Union Home Ministry. A Deputy Superintendent of Police and an Inspector of the Bihar police came to record my statement 12 days after the incident," Mr Hussain told mediapersons here today, maintaining that "jungle law prevails in Bihar."

"Immediately after I was attacked, I was moved to a hospital. The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, wanted to talk to me, but the phone set at the hospital had no mouth and ear piece. Late at night, the Department of Telecommunication provided a telephone at my bedside," the Minister said, alleging that the state government refused to provide an aircraft to shift him to a hospital for a CAT scan.

"I had cracks in my skull the next day, a BSF aircraft was arranged to take me to a hospital. It was only on December 2 that I recovered and went to Parliament to attend the session.

"I was lucky that instead of reaching the venue of a rally scheduled for 6 p.m., I reached there a little in advance. I was attacked as I came out of my car. A country made pistol, which did not fire, was used to hit me in the chest. I was also hit on the head. I did not panic and rushed towards the dais where I started addressing the audience. But after five minutes, I fell unconscious. Though I was a state guest, no Magistrate was accompanying me," he said.

Mr Hussain, the only Muslim to win on the BJP ticket in the last Lok Sabha elections, is Secretary, National Bharatiya Yuva Janata Morcha.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, I lost from the Kishenganj constituency by 6,000 votes. This time I won by more than 8,600 votes from the largest Muslim parliamentary constituency in the country with eight lakh Muslim votes. I feel the minorities are fully protected and safe under the NDA government," Mr Hussain said.

Mr Hussain said he had been frequenting Chandigarh for the past four years as party (BJYM) observer. The visit today was not official.

Mr Hussain said the NDA government would soon come out with a new food processing policy. "Our food processing industry is negligible as it is only 1.8 per cent of the total food industry. We want to import technology to encourage farmers to process their produce and then market it.

"I have received complaints against multinational companies, including Pepsi, and will look into these," he added.

Minister promises loans to farmers
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 5 — The Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Mr Syed Shah Nawaz Hussain, today said promotion of agro-food processing industry in Punjab was on the priority list of the Central Government.

Mr Hussain was in the town to attend a luncheon party hosted by the Ropar district BJP leaders in his honour at the PCA stadium here. He said farmers would be encouraged to set up cold-chain units for which they would be given loans up to 70 per cent of the total cost at a differential rate of interest of four per cent.

He said the Prime Minister, Mr A.B. Vajpayee, wanted him to strengthen the food processing sector and that he was working on it. He said a concrete policy to encourage farmers to set up their food processing units was on the anvil.

Though the food processing industry had grown from 0.8 per cent to 1.8 per cent in the past two years, it still remained a neglected sector. On the other hand, the industry was at the third position in the world, he said.

The minister invited entrepreneurs to visit him at Delhi with concrete proposals.

Sharad favours paying-guest scheme
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Sharad Yadav, was felicitated by the local unit of the Janata Dal at Tagore Theatre here today.

Mr Yadav, who arrived in the city this morning, also held a meeting with the party workers. Later, he met a delegation from villages and colonies of the UT and assured the members that the government would do its best to redress their genuine grievances.

Mr Surinder Bhardwaj, President of the local unit of the Janata Dal, gave him a memorandum, demanding immediate implementation of the Paying Guest Accommodation Scheme in the UT.

"It is a good scheme and to encourage tourism, the government wants that all such schemes should be implemented," Mr Yadav said after going through the memorandum. Earlier, he addressed the party workers at Tagore Theatre and assured them that all their problems would be solved soon.

In the memorandum, the Paying Guest Accommodation Cultural and Social Welfare Association drew the attention of the Minister towards a letter of the Union Tourism Department of November, 1995, in which states and union territories had been advised to implement the scheme.

The memorandum also said the previous Adviser, Mr Jagdish Sagar, had conducted surprise checks on June 5, 1998, at houses owners of which had requested for implementation of this scheme. Mr Sagar had said this scheme could be distinguished from the guest house businesses run from residential buildings. The administration had agreed to implement the scheme on a condition that owner must live on the premises. Even the Administrator had given its approval.

The scheme, however, has not been implemented nor any guidelines for its implementation have been issued.

Group Capt A.S. Mann (retd) presented a memento the minister after a press conference at Press Club.

Analyser installed at centre
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The new block of the Charitable Diagnostic Centre, set up by Bharat Vikas Parishad at Indira Holiday Home, Sector 24-B, was inaugurated by Prof V.K. Kak, Director Principal, Government Medical College, Sector 32, here today.

The event also marked the installation of a semi-auto analyser. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kak said the installation of this machine would prove a boon for the people, specially those belong to poor sections of the society. Justice D.V. Sehgal, the guest of honour and presiding judge of the Lok Adalat, assured all help to the organisation in the installation of X-ray and ultra sound equipment. Justice Rama Jois, All India Working President of the Bharat Vikas Parishad , said service to humanity was the real religion and Bharat Sevak Samaj was trying to follow it in true letter and spirit.

Most of the tests for haematological and coagulation studies, besides serology, liver function, lipidogram, electrolytes, culture and sensitivity tests, are now being conducted on the new analyser of more precision and perfection. “The reports of the centre are accepted by all government hospitals, dispensaries and the PGI,” claimed Dr P.N. Thapar.

The centre, which was started in 1991 by Dr P.N. Thapar and Mr Raj Kumar Gupta, charges a pocket-friendly fee from patients to cover the functional costs. For the poor and needy patients, it is waived off. Free consultation is also provided by a team of specialists. Samples are collected daily from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm, except on Sundays. Reports are made available before 2 pm the same day.

Mr Madan Gupta “Spatu”, National Co-Convenor of the parishad said the organisation was trying to add X-ray and ultra-sound facilities in the near future.

The parishad also honoured Ms Bimla Gupta, Ms Bindu, Mr Prabhu Dayal and Ms Aarti for their selfless service to the centre.

NCC camp concludes
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The annual training camp of the 2 Chandigarh Battalion NCC concluded at Barotiwala today. The camp, which started on November 24, was attended by 335 cadets from various schools and colleges.

The training during this camp was modified by the Commanding Officer of the battalion, Lieut-Col Onkar Singh. Emphasis was on field craft, map-reading, patrolling, ambush, leadership, national integration, trekking and excursions. The rationale was that drill classes could be reduced since these were conducted regularly in institutions round the year and the time at the camp could be utilised to put the cadets through outdoor activities, which gave them an insight into the life of the armed forces.

Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 (West), lifted the overall championship trophy of the annual training camp. The following were the other awards won at the camp:

Best Cadet (Senior Division) — Sorub Dhami of ISTC, Sector 30; Best Cadet (Junior Division) — Sanjay Kumar of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 West;Volleyball : Central Polytechnic, Sector 26; Drill — Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 West; 100 m — Prabhjot Singh of Government Senior Model School, Sector 23-A; Tent layout — Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 West.

Lieut-Col Onkar Singh gave away the prizes. Twenty one cadets donated blood at the camp.

Revival of death penalty ‘disturbing’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — “At a time when the policy of refformation and rehabilitation of prisoners has begun to gain momentum, it is disturbing to note the reactionary trend in favour of reviving punishment and making it more stringent.”

“Such trends are noticeable in the revival of capital punishment (death penalty) in the middle of the present decade in several countries, including Japan, which abolished it in 1990.”

“Murmuring has already begun against the reformative initiatives even in Indian prison circles. It is an unfortunate development as it seeks to stall even the modest efforts being made in India to translate the policy of correction into action.”

These were some of the observations made by Mr R.N. Prashar, Commissioner and Secretary, Dairy development, Haryana, while delivering the valedictory address at the 40th course of 21-day duration on correctional administration, organised by the Sector 26 Institute of Correctional Administration.

The course was attended by 26 officers and functionaries of Tihar Jail, which has already earned a name for itself in the field of correctional administration.

Earlier, Dr S.L. Sharma observed that the course was designed to initiate and equip the participants in the skills and techniques of correction. The course covered a wide range of themes, including jail manual, criminology and victimology, and correctional policy and programme.

An interesting and engaging panel discussion was organised on the “Problems of prison administration” in which Directors-General, Prisons, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, served as panelists.

AIDS body holds camps
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — As many as 1500 persons attended two camps organised by the State AIDS Control Society, UT, with the help of the Surya Foundation and the Society for Social Health at Hallo Majra and Mauli Jagran on the fourth day of a family health awareness campaign.

While 217 patients were given medicines free of cost for STDs and RTIs, 68 blood samples were collected voluntarily in these camps for further investigation.

A street play on HIV/AIDS was enacted at Hallo Majra and a video film Anant explaining various aspects of the disease was shown during the camp. A total of 170 patients with RTI/STD were examined and 47 cases of blood sugar tested at the camp.

Counselling and control of AIDS were also done by experts and relevant material distributed.

Mr K.K. Adiwal, who visited the camp, lauded the efforts being made to create awareness and control the increasing rate of STDs as well as HIV. People of three villages namely Hallo Majra, Behlana and Raipur Khurd were covered in this camp.

More than 340 men and women attended the camp at Mauli Jagran. Patients of STDs and RTI were diagnosed and given treatment. Experts from the PGI gave talks on HIV/AIDS besides providing treatment to patients.

3 foreign nationals arrested
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Dec 5 — In a major breakthrough, three foreign nationals along with two others were yesterday nabbed by the local police following a suspicion of their identity.

The police confiscated fake currency notes along with forged visas and passports from them. The suspects had allegedly visited the office of the Superintendent of Police, Panchkula, for a mandatory documentation purpose. One of the suspects, who allegedly tried to pressurise the police, claimed to be an MLA from Jalandhar.

Following suspicion over their identity, the police arrested them for interrogation. The suspects were produced before the Duty Magistrate and remanded to police custody till December 13.

Meanwhile, the local police has registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 471, 472, 474 and 120-B of the IPC.

Sources in the Police Department revealed that further investigations were on.

ASC celebrates 239th Corps Day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The 239th Corps Day of the Army Service Corps (ASC) was celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm at Chandi Mandir today. Officers and other ranks of the ASC Supply Depot, Chandi Mandir and other ASC units based here attended the celebrations along with their families.

Apart from a barakhana at the supply depot's unit lines, several games and competitions were organised. these included races for children, musical chairs and matka race for ladies, sack race for jawans and a needle race for husbands and wives, where the men had to run and hand over a thread to their wives for threading a needle.

In addition, a tug-of-war between jawans and civilian employees was organised. Basketball and volleyball matches between officers and JCOs versus jawans was held earlier.

Prizes were given to the winners of the events by Mrs Narinder Dhillon, wife of the depot commandant, Col A.S. Dhillon.

SNIPPETS

Cattle breed contest held
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 5 — A cattle fair breed competition was organised by the Milkfed Verka Milk plant in coordination with the Cooperative Milk Producers Society, Lalru, at Government Senior Secondary School, Lalru, today.

The Managing Director of Milkfed, Mr Amrik Singh, while addressing the participants, said the milk producers should keep good breed of buffaloes and cows for getting more milk.

Mt Balihar Singh and Mr Jasbir Singh, won the first position in the cattle breed competition. They were given golden rings. Mr Manmohan Munjial, Managing Director of the local milk plant, also spoke on the occasion.

Eye camp
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, Dec 5 — A free phacco eye surgery camp was organised by the Sri Guru Granth Sabib Sewa Society at the Laser Eye Hospital in Phase X here today.

Mr Harjit Singh Sabharwal, a spokesperson of the society, said 22 patients had been shortlisted for surgery at an OPD eye check-up camp held at Swara village.

Relief material for Orissa flagged off
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 5 — The local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, flagged off a truck carrying food items and clothes for victims of cyclone in Orissa at Mani Majra today. The items were collected by the Block Congress Committee of Mani Majra.