Dera Bassi to be linked with canal
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Dec 25 — Dera Bassi will be connected with the Rs 270-crore Dashmesh canal to be completed in a couple of years, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh at a function here today.

The Finance Minister of Punjab, while addressing the public, said that work on the project on the Sutlej, had started and would benefit other areas, including Kurali, Fatehgarh Sahib and Banur.

He was here to honour local residents who donated for Kargil and Orissa cyclone victims.

The minister announced that the government would construct toilets at the houses of Dalit families as a step towards the uplift of the downtrodden families.

Capt Kawanaljeet Singh distributed cheques for Rs 51,00 to 80 Dalit families for the marriages of their daughters.

On the condition of roads, the minister said that all the approach to the villages will be completed with in next 6 months. He said that the laboratory tests revealed that the soil of the area was responsible for early deterioration.

With a better network of roads, industries in the area will also benefit. Industries will be encouraged to be set up on the Barwala and Ambala roads.

As many as 7 villages across the Dangari river are crying for a bridge for their convenience. On the issue the minister that the work of construction of a bridge will be completed with in a year. Another ambitious project of an overbridge near Bhankharpur will be started by next month.

To provide better job opportunities for the unemployed youths, the minister announced to facilitate them by providing loans from the Punjab Khadi Board on low interest rates.

On the occasion, mementoes were distributed to persons who donated for the Kargil, Orissa cyclone victims. Mr Sher Singh Sidhu, SDM, Dera Bassi, informed that the about Rs 13.86 lakh 86 was donated by the local residents for the families of Kargil victims while truckloads of clothing and other materials were sent to Orissa.

Two truckloads to Orissa were also flagged off by the Finance Minister. A cultural function was also presented by children from various schools.

Politicians have brought the system to ruin: Nehru
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Mr B. K. Nehru, president of The Tribune Trust, lashed out at the raja-praja system which was still in place even after 50 years of Independence.

He was delivering the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Memorial Lecture organised by the Banaras Hindu University Alumni Association at the ICCR complex in Panjab University here today. The topic was ‘Need for review of the Indian Constitution’.

Recalling his close association with the Malaviya family, he said, their families were not only neighbours in Allahabad but he also had the privilege of chauffeuring the great man around the city even though he was only 13 at that time. “He knew that I was underage and ought not be driving, but he did not say anything. I also had the privilege to chauffeur other great persons like Lala Lajpat Rai and others”, he remarked in a lighter vein.

Another vivid moment recalled by him was the way the leadership, the old school to which Pandit Malaviya belonged and the new generation symbolised by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, handled tricky situations. In the 30s the ganges had changed course and the administration decided to barricade the approach to the river in public interest. This was resented by the people and an agitation was launched to get the wooden barricade removed.

“A large number of people had gathered and the Army was called in and stood at one side ready to fire if the need arose. Sensing the situation, Pandit Malaviya removed his turban and announced that he was launching an indefinite fast, while Pandit Nehru was exhorting the people to pull down the barricades. I was watching and was frightened and the images of the Jallianwala Bagh crossed my mind. Ultimately the wall was removed,” he said.

The decay, which started after the stalwarts of the freedom struggle faded from the scene of politics had reached its nadir. We should not fool ourselves by believing that we are the biggest democracy, while in fact we are being ruled by a group of people, a mafia, who are utilising all the constitutional powers for furthering themselves, he lashed out. Commenting on framing of the Constitution, Mr Nehru said it was framed after studying the best ones at that point of time. The Constituent Assembly at that time

consisted of people who had been sent with a franchise of only 11 - 14 per cent. They were largely lawyers and people who had been brought up in the British tradition. There were in fact totally out of tune with what the masses wanted or aspired.

The reason for the failure is that we had been following the raja-praja system for centuries and knew no other way. Suddenly, the right to vote was given and the rule of law was the norm. It has resulted in the people thinking that they are the rulers, with the result that the elected representatives think they are the kings, and kings are above law, he emphasised.

Comparing the country with England, he said the nobles in 1215 had managed to extract certain privileges that the king would consult them before arriving at a decision. It has taken almost 700 years for democracy to take root while here we were, raja and praja ruled for centuries and suddenly the masses were offered equality, rule of law and justice.

The British system and our traditional past did not gel, and to stress this point he read out what Winston Churchill, the then PM of Britain had said in Parliament: “After 50 years India shall fall to thieves, robbers and brigands.”

The system is rapidly crumbling and politicians and bureaucrats alike are interested to mint money by any means. Ours is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, financially as well as morally. We do not think twice to make money by illegal means and hardly blink an eye while lying or cheating. It’s in fact fashionable to make money, he opined.

“It is no wonder that financially stable states like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are on the verge of bankruptcy. Where has all the money gone,? “ he questioned.

The instruments to check all these goings-on — a responsible bureaucracy and the police — have been transformed into handmaidens of the politicians. The rule is either you toe the line, resign or face frequent transfers. Gone are the days when the secretary-level officers turned down the proposals of the ministers. The police today has been reduced to the level of a private army of the respective Chief Ministers and Prime Ministers, he added.

“On the law and order situation he said the state of affairs in the country was rushed that if someone were to kill him at his residence, nothing would happen,”.

Mr R. K. Saboo, eminent industrialist and past Chairman of the Rotary International, while delivering the presidential remarks said he had always believed in the principle that ‘look beyond yourself, ‘ and this has stood him in good stead.

Commenting on the state of affairs of the country, he said politicians had brought us to ruin. They had deliberately and calculatedly demolished the system and had popularised the credo that everyone was for himself. This was the message that had gone to the younger generation, and it was sad that they would grow up and follow the same principles.

Narrating an episode, he said he was once introduced to the top brass of the IBM, and was surprised to know that 10 of the top 20 people in the company were Indians. The chairman of the company remarked that the leaders of the country must be having a vested interest in keeping the country underdeveloped.

On corruption, he said no eyebrows were raised when a scam was unearthed, and the person or official who took the money and did not do the job, was termed dishonest or corrupt. There was great need for introspection and a beginning had to be made now if the country was to be saved, he stressed.

Earlier, Mr Nehru, a Padma Vibushan recipient, was welcomed by the BHU alumni members and taken to the dais. The introduction of the chief guest and his accomplishments were listed out for the gathering by Dr Raj Bahadur.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr Satish Bagrodia, Dr Hari Har Lal and Dr D V Rai.

The programme was compered by Dr Vandana Shukla, an alumnus of the BHU.

Host of X-mas celebrations
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The spirit of Christmas and joy prevailed in the city today with a host of Christmas celebrations going around. From discotheques to eating joints to shopping centers and to even petrol centers, everything seemed geared up for the occasion today.

A petrol station in Sector 21 had installed a huge stage with Santa Claus beckoning all those who were visiting the station to get off their vehicles and join him “in the fun”. All the kids present were presented with goodies.

With most of the eating joints having set up Santas both inside and outside, many a St Nicholas’s, in all shapes and sizes, could be seen cavorting in the city. Even small kids could be seen wearing Santa-like dresses. In fact, a shop in Sector 17 even announced a bonanza sale on “Christmas and Santa Claus dresses”!

For all those who have been bitten by the millennium bug, the celebrations and the revelry started from today itself, with most of the discos, restaurants and hotels hav

ing announced a “Millennium Countdown Bash” — spread over a period of six days, from Christmas till New Year — dancing, jiving, frisking all these six days, coupled with good food and goodies.

The main services in the various churches of the city for Christmas Day were also held today. Christ Church, CNI, Sector 18, and the Catholic Church, Sector 19, had their celebrations and services today. Four-hour long celebrations were also conducted by St Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Sector 46, in which the Christmas pyre was lighted during the service with candles.

The Old Age Home, Sector 15, today organised a visit by Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, the local MP, who distributed blankets and shawls to the inmates. Ami Hazoor Sufimat Memorial Bhawan Committee also celebrated the occasion, in which various members of the city were honoured.

Meanwhile, even around the city, the celebrations lasted for long. Club ‘Deja Vu’ organised a party for both the young and the old to dance around the traditional Christmas tree at a go-karting club in Zirakpur. And in order not to keep out the very popular event of the region — fashion show — away from all these celebrations, a beauty contest was organised by a resort at Lalru.

Merriment at Stephen's
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — Participants of the End of the Millennium Winter Workshop celebrated Christmas here today.

A person dressed as Santa Claus sang carols. The yuletide celebrations were held as part of the personality-building workshop being conducted by Amita Uppal and Niti Saund at St Stephen's School, Sector 45. The workshop will conclude on January 1, 2000, with a theme party.

Balloons, buntings and bells
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 25 — The local branch of Shemrock School celebrated the last Christmas of the millennium in the school premises here on Saturday. The tiny tots of the school enjoyed every moment of the festivity.

The entire school premises had the semblance of a fairy land. There were balloons, buntings, bells hanging and the Chritsmas tree to make it a memorable moment for the students. A person dressed as Santa Claus was an attraction for the tiny-tots, who danced and sang with him. A spokesman of the school said a secondary school was shortly being started in Sector 69.

Lissome models, excited crowd
Tribune News Service

LALRU (Patiala), Dec 25 — Excited thumping of appreciating hands smacking each other enhanced the electrifying evening's frenzy as lissome models in body-hugging cheerful tops over denim and floral skirts-with-slits sashayed down the red-carpeted ramp during the Winter King and Queen Contest here this evening.

The memory of fascinating battles on makeshift ramps, mingled with desire for a wonderful evening, charged the winter air with excitement from the beginning. Water falling from cobbled mountain stones in the backdrop promised fulfillment of hopes.

The campaign for supremacy took off on time with earth-angles in smoldering red, white and pink sarees catwalking through the artificial smoke wall, their draped pallav gently blowing with the cool winter breeze.

The tiny round mirrors on the bright cheerful low-back lace-tied blouses reflected the yellow, blue and red lights. Impressive high-wattage speakers boomed with tabla beat music in slow tempo.

As models glided up and down the ramp to paces set by choreographers Vimal Verma and Anu Verma, the crowd gathered around blazing bonfires cheered, whistled and catcalled. With open arms, "kiddos" no more than 8 or 9 years in age, invited a "dancing doll" as she enthusiastically twisted and twirled to the tune of Nimbuda.

Spectators' delight was the casual round, with reed-thin models sailing in alluring body-hugging peach, ivory pink and silver grey tops over elegant and sensuous long and A-lined skirts tied below the navel, their silky tresses struggling to break free from under the knitted caps.

Creativity was manifest in the innovative round. To the surprise of evereyone, they flowed over the bridge, one after the other, in cholis and kurtas over jeans.

The guys were no less. Bare above the waist, daring the cold, they stood, facing the crowd and displaying inflated biceps. This was before the final formal wear round.

X-mas celebrated at Bal Sadan
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Dec 25 — Twentyfour children of Bal Sadan, a home for the destitute in Sector 4, celebrated Christmas with children of Manav Mangal School, Sector 11, here yesterday. Contests in poetry recitation, balloon race and musical chairs were also held for children of the sadan. Santa Claus distributed sweets and gifts to them.

Speaking at the function, Mr G.S. Sardana, Director of the school, said the school would raise the number of children adopted from the sadan for free education from the next academic session.

Christmas celebrations were also held at Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, and Blue Bird, Sector 16.

4 arrested in robbery case
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Dec 25 — Four persons including three men of the Chandigarh Home Guards, who were allegedly involved in a robbery on gun-point at a resort near Zirakpur have been arrested by the Dera Bassi police.

The arrested persons include Sukhdev Singh, Sukhchain Singh and Devinder Singh who were posted at the Industrial Area, Police Station, Chandigarh while their other accomplice Vinod Kumar, is a resident of Rajpura. The police had recovered a service rifle from the possession of Sukhdev Singh, informed Mr HS Bhullar, DSP, Dera Bassi.

The incident took place on the night of December 17, when the men allegedly robbed two employees of the resort. Sushil Kumar and Satvir Singh were robbed when they went to answer the call of nature in the near by area of the resort. The place is almost deserted and all four persons were hiding under a thick cover of wild vegetation.

The police said that after finding them alone, they told them to give their belongings to them. Sukhdev Singh, was armed with his service rifle, while others had bamboo sticks. After committing the crime they threatened the victims.

After the incident, both Sushil Kumar and Satvir Singh raised an alarm. Subsequently, employees present at the resort came to their rescue and chased the culprits. They managed to catch Sukhdev Singh, while others managed to flee from the spot.

After investigations Sukhdev Singh revealed names of his accomplices. The police had recovered the money robbed from the employees of the resort. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case under Sections 392, 506 and 34 IPC.

Chinks in air space security stand exposed: Gen Hoon
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — “The hijacking of IC 814 yesterday has exposed the chinks in our air space security. I fear our air corridors are unsafe,” says Lieut-Gen P.N. Hoon, a former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command.

Talking to The Tribune last night, General Hoon said yesterday’s hijacking was a crafty action plan of Pakistan which has been executed perfectly.

“Unfortunately for all of us, the civilian aircraft, which was hijacked from our skies and which remained in our territory for almost three hours was offered safe passage out of the country, jeopardising the safety of the passengers and the crew on board.

“To me it appears a total failure of our diplomatic corps in Kathmandu, political bosses, bureaucrats , air traffic controllers and agencies entrusted with the responsibility of securing our skies. It is not a new thing. We had experienced similar hijackings earlier. But this time I must give General Musharraf and pakistan full marks for a crafty plan well-executed. It has been both very sad and serious for India.

“We all are aware that the ISI has been using Kathmandu for various disruptive activities in India. What have we done about it? Nowhere during the entire operation yesterday, we did nothing. We did not put up any line of resistance to the sordid episode,” General Hoon said.

General Hoon says it is not for the first time that our skies have been threatened. What happened to Purulia arms drop case. Where has Kim Davies disappeared ? An alien aircraft criss-crossing our skies and we were not aware of it until the fighters of the Indian Air Force forced it to land at Mumbai. But what happened to the man arrested then?

He says that though he would not comment on what should have been done in the present case, but a complete “helplessness of the entire machinery” was least expected. The hijacked aircraft should have been bogged down, should not have been allowed to fly out of the country and it may have been chased by our fighter aircraft to show to the world that we do not accept any nonsense from anywhere.

The former GOC-in-C says the entire hijacking operation went strictly in accordance with a crafty plan of the ISI. Initial refusal of permission for the plane to land at Lahore, subsequent permission, refuelling, flying of the Indian Ambassador from Islamabad to Lahore, subsequent refusal of permission for the aircraft to land at Kabul and its ultimate destination at Kandahar were part of a well- executed conspiracy, he adds.

“Unfortunately, even after witnessing so many hijackings from our skies, we have not have trained our civilian pilots to handle such situations. The hijackers could have been foxed by landing at some strip where we have facilities to handle such situations,”

General Hoon recalled that when he was General Officer Commanding of a corps in the seventies, an Indian Airlines aircraft was hijacked to Pakistan. “I was playing golf at Amritsar panther Golf Club and saw our aircraft moving towards Pakistan. Our Border Observation Post (BOP) confirmed our apprehension. I immediately rang up General Hirdey Kaul, the then Director-General Military Operations. This is how the entire machinery, from top to bottom, moved. But this time it had been lackadaisical, so impersonal that no one is bothered. See the plight of next of kin of those on board of the hijacked aircraft.

“Even people at the helm of affairs are totally clueless about the entire episode. We are living in a nuclear environment and must start thinking what is happening around us. Our civil aviation sector is totally unequipped and unknowledgeable. it is pathetic.

“The Crisis Management Group (CMG) and the Cabinet Committee on Security had no clue whatsoever about what was happening. No one could even tell how many passengers have actually been killed on board of the hijacked aircraft. I do not think that hijackers would have fired a shot to risk their own security. Our civilian aircraft has been hijacked, it has been swung around the whole world and we are sitting helpless”.

He suggests that unless harsh action is taken from top to the bottom, such situations would continue to embarrass the nation. “I was taken aback when the Prime Minister’s decision for UN intervention was announced. Are not we seeing what Pakistan’s or general Musharraf’s gameplan has been. After resisting for long any UN intervention, we are now ourselves seeking UN’s help. I have always felt that our politicians are craftier than the craftiest of all but unfortunately they have been failing every time,” General Hoon added.

Eucalyptus trees chopped off
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Dec 25 — Over 30 eucalyptus trees were chopped off in the compound of St Soldier Divine Public School in Sector 16 here today.

Sources revealed that the school management had invited quotations for selling the dry trees to ensure cleanliness during the forthcoming annual sport day. The staff in the school said they were ignorant of the trees being cut on the premises as the screening of quotations was being done. They were not aware of any permission sought by the school authorities from the department concerned before felling the trees.

Sources added that the trees had been sold to a local contractor, following which the exercise was undertaken. It is expected that more trees will be felled tomorrow. Officials of the Haryana Urban Development Authority were not available for comment.

Abandoned baby brought to Bal Niketan
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Dec 25 — On Christmas eve, Purva, less than a month old, has come as a gift for the 65-odd inmates of Bal Niketan, Sector 2. Wrapped in heavy woollens, the baby is a plaything for everyone at the niketan.

Purva was left behind by a man at Ambala cantonment, who got off the train, telling a fellow passenger to look after the child while he was away to get milk. However, he did not return even after the train left the station.

When the train halted at Ambala city, the matter was reported to the Government Railway Police (GRP). The man left behind a polythene bag, with a few clothes. The clothes give the impression that she comes from a lower middle class family.

Mr Vinay Kumar from Bihar gave the information to the police and said the man boarded the train at Kaithal and got off just before it was about to leave the station. Nobody reported having lost any child on the train and the Deputy Commissioner of Ambala sent Purva to the niketan for adoption.

Having been informed two days back, the inmates were looking forward to the new arrival. When she was brought by an ASI of the GRP at 4 pm, a man followed her.

Before she could be handed over to the officials, the man pleaded to take her away. "I am issueless and in love with this child. Give her to me," he said.

"We asked him to give his application and told him that it would be considered. He went away without the child. We had little choice in the matter. The process of adoption is tedious and time-consuming. It involves a lot of paper work," said Ms Madhu Sharma, Honorary Secretary of the niketan.

The formalities for adoption will be completed soon, after which an abandonment certificate will be sought from the Deputy Commissioner. Applications will be scrutinised and the most suitable family, economically and socially, will be chosen.

The niketan is trying to cut down the lengthy process of adoption. "We will request that she be given in foster care, whereby the child is handed over to the family and monitored closely. If their care is upto the mark, we can consider their case of adopting the child," said Ms Sharma. There are four children for adoption, including Purva.

Creative models at exhibition
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Dec 25 — A colourful display of creative models marked an art and craft exhibition-cum-fete held at Doon Public School, Sector 21, here today.

The Inspector-General of Police, Haryana, Mr L.D. Narwal, was the chief guest. The main attraction was a mini Jim Corbett Park, with animals and birds in natural surroundings depicting perfect ecological balance. The backdrop of the park had snow-caps of mountains prepared with cotton.

A number of items prepared by the children of nursery class, with domestic waste products, earned applause. Students of Class VII presented a desert scene, with camels approaching an oasis. The portrayal of village life, agricultural prosperity and folklore, with a message to be self-sufficient, by senior students, drew the attention of the audience. To spread awareness about preservation of the environment, the children put up a unique display, comparing the eco-friendly and the polluted set-up of metros.

Craft items, tie and dye pieces and paintings were also put up by students. The fete, which had 21 stalls, was full of fun and frolic.

Headquarters cops to man nakas
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The personnel of the local constabulary posted at the police headquarters (PHQ) in various capacities will now be put on duty once a month reversing a previous decision to use them elsewhere for allied duties once a week.

In view of the shortage faced by the police, it was felt that many persons posted at the PHQ could be used for duties, especially to man nakas, besides augmenting the force at various police stations in the city. Accordingly, a survey was conducted and 150 personnel were shortlisted who could be used for duties on the weekend. It was proposed to use their services on Saturdays.

The move had reportedly generated a lot of resentment in the staff of the PHQ and subordinates were heard complaining that they should not be used elsewhere once they were posted at the headquarters. It was the only posting during which they could have the weekend to themselves.

When contacted, Mr S. K. Singh, IGP, said the change had been effected keeping in view the sentiments of the staff. They had been complaining that they should not be used regularly but would not mind doing duties when any exigency arose.

However, they would be used once a month for duties and during the security arrangements underway for the new year, he added.

Monthly lok adalat on PF issues
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Amritsar, has in a press statement said that for the benefit of provident fund members and pensioners, a monthly lok adalat is held at the Commissioner's office on 10th of every month where the Regional Commissioner personally listens to grievances of members and pensioners to settle their cases on the spot.

It said that provident fund members and pensioners should send their complaints or grievances in writing to the Regional Commissioner in case their claims are not settled within 30 days.

Written complaints or grievances received until the 5th of a subsequent month would be taken up at the lok adalat and settled on the spot, the release added.

SNIPPETS

Bole so nihal team for Bangkok
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 25 — The team of Bole so nihal, a multi-media Punjabi play presenting the panorama of Sikh history, left for Bangkok today to perform at a function which will be presided over by the Prime Minister of Thailand. The chief guest of the show will be the Chairman of the World Punjabi Organisation, Mr I.K. Gujral.

The troupe is being led by Latta Harbux Singh, director of the play. Meanwhile , the golden jubilee, of the play in the city will be held at Tagore Theatre on January 5, 2000.