& V I C I N I T Y
Thursday, February 11, 1999
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Thursday, February 11, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Giving details about
servants made mandatory Scheme
for nursing homes finalised |
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Inter-college
contest results
Skaters
in UT after covering 205 km |
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Girls
outnumber boys at gift shops CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Girls and boys are swarming shops here to buy gifts for their valentines. Compared to last year girls outnumber boys even at gift shops. They have a wide range of gifts to choose from. "There enthusiasm can be attributed to awareness built by TV and cinema about Valentine Day", says Harpreet, a gift shop owner at Sector 22. She said out of about 400 visitors to her shop daily, 250 were mostly girls from the middle class families. "Though a majority of girls settle for cards ranging between Rs 14 and Rs 35, a considerable number of them even opt for unusual gifts like ‘love cassettes’ and ‘love boxes’ with lively quotations and messages," she said. Another card seller in the Sector also conceded that girls were showing more interest in gifts than boys. "Boys simply opt for cards with catchy messages, while girls go in for variety," he said. Enquiries with different gift shops in the city revealed that anticipating a big sale, different companies have come out with more variety in cards and other gift items. "This time we are offering a wide range of cards priced between Rs 14 to Rs 200, as compared to the range between Rs 12 and Rs 150 last year," said Ramesh, a salesman at a gift shop in Sector 15. He said one could make a wide choice out of the 'normal' Rs 15 to Rs 45 range this time the major card companies were offering about 200 different types of cards in this range as compared to just 50 last year. According to Ms Harpreet, besides ‘twin mugs’ with messages, Valentine Day enthusiasts were buying cards priced between Rs 90 and Rs 165. Most of these cards come with multi-page ‘love books’, with help of which one could keep a record of ‘pleasant moments’ like walks, and dates with friends. Similarly, there were musical cards with glowing ‘hearts’. People in love are also going in for cards with personalised messages, she said. According to a gift shop owner in Sector 17, people had started purchasing gifts from February 12 last year. The reason began from February 7 this year," he said. There is a considerable hike in the prices of gifts as compared to last year. "The card priced at Rs 25 last year, is available for Rs 30 now. Overall, there is an increase of 15 per cent," he said. The fresh flowers are,
however, not much in demand this time. "Last year,
we used to get orders for home deliveries by this time,
but only a few are placing such orders this time,"
said a florist of Sector 34. |
Giving details about servants
made mandatory PANCHKULA, Feb 10 — The district administration has made it mandatory for the landlords, tenants and people running commercial establishments in the township to furnish details about domestic servants engaged by them. The directive has been issued by the Deputy Commissioner under Section 144, Cr.PC after the involvement of domestic servants and other type of helpers had been found in the incidents of crime. Moreover appeals by the police to the landlords, tenants and other people engaging domestic helpers to voluntarily provide details about their servants in the past had not evoked much response. Even the residents welfare associations of the township had been asked to cooperate in this direction. The order will remain in force for two months with effect from February 9. The DC said that there was every apprehension of a breach of the peace and grave danger to human life and injury to public property on this account. Any violation of the order is punishable under Section 188 of the IPC. Quoting two recent incidents of theft in which the domestic servants — whose antecedents were not provided to the police — ran away with cash and jewellery of their employers, the Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, said the directive to the residents to provide information in this regard had become necessary. At least 3000 servant verification forms have already been distributed among the residents through their respective police stations. Another 5000 such forms will be distributed among the residents. To make the township crime-free, the residents welfare associations have been asked by the police to identify entry points to their respective sectors and get the unauthorised entries plugged. Having a watchman for every 50 houses has also been suggested. A survey of number of plots, houses constructed, houses under construction and the total number of watchmen engaged in the entire township has been conducted by the police. Sources in the police said
that at least 2000 houses were under construction. This
means that the antecedents of the labourers engaged in
the construction of the houses will have been
ascertained. |
Scheme for
nursing homes finalised CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — The Administration has finalised a new scheme to permit the use of residential premises in various sectors as nursing homes. Under the scheme, permission shall be granted only to those nursing homes which are already functioning and have a minimum plot size of 500 square yards and are located on V-4, V-5 and V-6 roads. The permission will be granted when the Chief Administrator is convinced that such a use will not create any traffic or other problems for the locality. Further each such building should have a parking space for vehicles equal to the number of indoor beds plus two and in case there are no indoor beds, there must be a parking space for at least five cars or jeeps. The parking space may be inside or outside the premises. Since the parking space outside the building will be public parking space, it will be maintained by the municipal corporation. Therefore, the civic body can charge fee from those who park their vehicles. The scheme further provides that number of beds, requirement of parking needs and the availability of parking space shall be determined by the Chief Administrator on the advice of a committee consisting of the Assistant Commissioner, municipal corporation; the Senior Town Planner and the Assistant Estate Officer.The owner of the nursing home has to make arrangements for the disposal of the hospital waste. No chemist shop shall be allowed inside the building premises. The scheme also provides for Rs 2,000 per square yard of the covered area of the building as conversion charges and Rs 500 per square yard for the uncovered area of the plot. These charges will not be payable for any portion of the building which is actually in possession of the owner and used for his residential premises provided that he is not in occupation of any other residential property in Chandigarh. An annual charge of Rs
20,000 per year for a plot of 500 square yards shall also
be payable. For plots of area more than 500 square yards,
the charges payable shall be proportionately calculated.
Officers of the Estate Office or any other officer
authorised by the Chief Administrator can inspect the
premises to ensure that the conditions are being complied
with. The permission can be cancelled on the infringement
of any of these conditions.
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Students
apprised of options in Army CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Glittering examples of dignity against all odds and the glorious traditions of the Indian Army were presented at a seminar on "Career options in the Army" to goad youngsters into joining the Services at Panjab University here today. The main attraction was an insiders glimpse of the selection system being followed in various Services selection boards. One common grievance of unsuccessful candidates has always been that the boards did not specify what they looked for in a candidate.Officers explained how the system was second to none in the world in terms of quality, fairplay and personnel who were selected. Students were explained in detail various manners in which they could enter the defence services. Apart from the widely known courses at the NDA, the IMA and the OTA, officers also dwelt on lesser known areas of great importance, including engineering, logistics, education, dairying, farming and medical services. Students were explained the age and educational requirements for entry into various courses. Counselling centres outside the seminar venue attracted large crowds. The main speakers at the seminar were Col Arun Sharma, Lieut-Col J.S. Rao and Col K.G. Chaterjee (Mahavir Chakra). The thrust areas for discussion were a glimpse of the Indian Army, traditions and customs of the army, branches of the army, types of commission, pay privileges and other opportunities, particularly for those who loved outdoor activity. Inaugurating the seminar Brig P.S. Sandhu, Deputy Director-General (Recruiting) said the Army was short of nearly 13,000 officers. The seminars were a part of the drive to educate youngsters, he added. He also spoke about the fact that lesser youngsters were attracted to a career in defence forces due to Western influence and an urge for easy life, wrapped in materialistic values. The Army was an honourable profession and well-paid. Major-Gen G.M. Lasrado, MG Arty, Chandimandir, said the seminars were part of the image building campaign. "We came to know very late that a large number of youngsters keen on joining the Army knew very little about the Army had to offer. The army provided a lifetime of challenge. Do you have it in you"? he asked the students Quite naturally the display of armament opposite the Students Centre drew students in large numbers. Officials explained how the big guns worked. Radars, mortars, tanks, combat assistance vehicles were also viewed with keen interest. Dr R.S.Grewal, the Dean
Students Welfare proposed a vote of thanks. The Panjab
University Campus Students’ Council collaborated
with the Army for the function. |
Inter-college
contest results CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Various inter-college contests were held on the second day of the silver jubilee celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sector 26, here today. Teams from 10 local colleges and two colleges from Ludhiana competed in the six events held on the premises of the college. Most entries came in the fine arts category while folk songs and group song contests attracted seven teams each. The running trophy in music went to Government College for Women, Sector 11. The fine arts contests were subdivided into categories which included clay modelling, cartooning, floral and geometrical designing. The contests were inaugurated by Prof M.M. Puri, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, by lighting the lamp. Addressing the students, he said such activities develop creativity among the students. The Principal, Mrs Harjit Kaur Khanna, traced the history of the college and welcomed the chief guest. The results are: Ghazal; Inderjit Kaur of Master Tara Chand College 1, Kumari Hema of SDP college 2, Seema Rani of MCM DAV College 3. Geet; Meenu Palta of MCM DAV College 1, Gurpreet of GCG, 42 (2), Harjot of Dev Samaj College of Education 3. Shabad; Master Tara Singh Memorial College (1), Dev Samaj College of Education 2, GGS College for Women 3. Clay modelling; Rajni Sood-GCG, 11 (1), Cinny Makkar of Government College of Education 2, Mandeep of MCM DAV College 3. Cartooning; Kavita Singh of GGS College for Women 1, Gurpreet of GCG, 42 (2), Valley Anand of GCG, 42 (3). Pot painting; Tanpreet of GGS College for Women 1, Shikha Bhai of Home Science College 2, Ramnik of GCG-11 (3). Designing; Astha of GCG, 11 (1), Ruchi of GCG, 42 (2), Prem (3). Folk song; Hema Sharma of SDP College 1, Puja Rishi of MCM DAV College 2, Gurinder of GCG, 11 (3). Group song; Master Tara Singh College 1, Dev Samaj College for Women 2, Government College, 46 (3).
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Skaters in
UT after covering 205 km CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — As many as 31 young skaters covering a 205-km long marathon on skates from Narkanda to Chandigarh in four days reached here this evening. The rally of skaters was organised as part of the on-going Fifth National Adventure Festival being conducted by the National Adventure Club (India). The skaters, including five girls and a German woman, Dr Ute, were led by Mr Rajesh Anand, captain of the Indian Roller Skating hockey team. The skaters were from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh. The president of the National Adventure Club, Mr Ram S.Varma, who received the skaters, said roller skating had been included as an adventure game in the festival. Keeping in view the success of the roller skating marathon, he said, this event would be organised on a larger scale at the next festival. Earlier, the coordinator
of the event, Mr Sushil Kumar, who is also the
vice-president of the Roller Skating Federation of India,
said the four-day event despite snowfall and rain at
certain places, went off peacefully. |
Show at
Fragrance Garden opposed CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — The Probing Eye, a self-help welfare association, today opposed the holding of the Daler Mehndi Nite at the Fragrance Garden, Sector 36, by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh on February 12. A press note today feared that due to a large number people, who would throng the garden, the flowers and grass would be trampled upon. Such events could easily have been organised in other places like Nehru Garden, Sector 22, it added. It urged the Chandigarh
Administration to intervene, and ask the civic body not
to organise the show in the garden so that beauty of such
places could be preserved. |
Residents seek bus route
change CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Residents of Burail have urged the transport authorities to change the route of bus numbers 10 and 27 so that the buses can run on the road separating their village and Dev Samaj College for Women as well as St Stephen School, both located in Sector 45. Mr Sher Singh Rana,
president of the Burail House Owners Welfare Society,
said as the road had been cleaned up by the municipal
authorities the buses should ply on the road. This would
go a long way in solving the problem of congestion on the
main road.
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Kushabhau to
visit Panchkula CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — The president of the BJP, Mr Kushabhau Thakre, will visit Panchkula on February 20 to participate in the two-day meeting of the working committee of the All-India BJP Scheduled Castes Morcha to be held there. Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, general secretary of the Morcha, said here today that the meeting would discuss various steps taken by the Vajpayee Government during its one-year tenure for the economic and social uplift of the Scheduled Castes. Besides the massacre of Dalits in Jehanabad in Bihar and certain other parts of the country, the working committee would also discuss various programmes to be undertaken by the Morcha this year for the propagation of the concept of Samrasta. Mr Kataria said senior
party leaders like Mr Bangaru Laxman, vice-president, Mr
Sangh Priya Gautam, general secretary, Union Labour
Minister S.N. Jatiya and Morcha president Munilal would
be among those who would address the meeting. |
5,000 take
part in shobha yatra CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — A grand shobha yatra in the city marked the 175th birth anniversary of Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, founder of Arya Samaj, today. Over 5,000 students and teachers from Arya Samaj, DAV and other vedic institutions participated in the rally. The rally commenced from Arya Samaj, Sector 7, passed through various sectors and concluded at the Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 22. Earlier, the flag was
hoisted by Principal Ravinder Talwar, President of the
Kendriya Arya Sabha, at the Arya Samaj Mandir, Sector 7.
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‘Colours
of Rajasthan’ opens CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — "Colours of Rajasthan" an exhibition of paintings and sculptures of 60 artists and sculptors was inaugurated by Mrs Anuradha Gupta, Home Secretary UT, Chandigarh, at the Art Gallery of Punjab Arts Council. The exhibition was first held at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, on the occasion of 50th anniversary of India's Independence. In the last week of January, it was held in Delhi and last week in Patiala. The artists whose works have been included in this exhibition are not only famous at the national level but also at the international level. The exhibition will
continue till February 14, according to Mr H.S. Bhatty,
secretary-general of the Punjab Arts Council. |
UT move to impose ST on books
opposed CHANDIGARH, Feb 11---The Chandigarh Copy Manufactures Association has resented the move of the administration to impose sales tax on school exercise books and drawing books. A press note issued today by the association President, Mr S.K Sood, said that copy manufactures had informed the Chandigarh Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Mr P.K Rao, that the SSI units in the city would be adversely affected as there is no such tax on exercise books in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. Also, the step was against the government's policy of emphasising the need to spread education. The cost of education in the primary level is already very high, they said, and the tax would be an extra burden on parents. The Commissioner assured
the association that the issue would be reconsidered. |
Bajrang Dal
holds rally CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Members of the local unit of the Bajrang Dal today took out a rally through various parts of the city to protest against the conversions being carried out by Christian missionaries in the country here today. The members assembled in Sector 19 and marched through various sectors before staging a dharna in the Sector 17 plaza. The members carried placards and banners, urging the government to enact a law to ban conversions and save the "poor Hindus" from the designs of the missionaries. Mr Naresh Arora and Mr Rajinder Dalal, convener and co- convener of the unit, said the conversions were a part of a hidden agenda of the Islamic and the Christian countries who were spending as much as Rs 1,400 crore jointly to convert Hindus to their religions. They said the conversions led to social unrest, religious intolerance besides fanning the fires of separatism in the new converts. The agitators presented a
memorandum addressed to the President to the Deputy
Commissioner. |
PGI faculty
members to go on strike CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — Members of the faculty of the PGI have decided to go on a one-day token strike on Friday in support of their demands. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the association held today. The association, however, decided that Faculty members should continue to look after emergency cases besides taking care of indoor patients. A spokesman of the
association maintained that public inconvenience would be
minimised. |
Experts demonstrate skill at
icing CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — The basic principles pertaining to cake designing were discussed at length at a seminar and workshop on "icing and cake decoration" at the Food Craft Institute here today. The workshop drew big crowds as a number of participants rose to above 400 in the two sessions. Other important aspects discussed were the importance of cake decoration, use of templates in design, icing textures and types of equipment. The seminar was jointly conducted by experts from the Society of Indian Bakers and the local institute. Islamuddin and Rajan
Satija demonstrated their expertise and dexterity at
creating delicate pieces such as roses, lace work,
cartoons and animal figures in butter icing, fondant and
paste icing.
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CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 — The Chandigarh Administration has notified the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Sanitation and Public Health) Bylaws, 1999, under which defecating or urinating at public places other than the places earmarked for the purpose has been banned. According to a press note today, the Commissioner of the CMC has been empowered to take action against the violators. The laws also forbid spitting at any place or in a building, causing insanitation and annoyance to anybody. Deposit of "malba", garbage or any other waste material in the public places, collection of waste water, cattle dung, building waste material, spread of oily or greasy material or scattering of collection of refuse from any bin or container will also be violation of the bylaws. Any contractor employing more than 10 wholetime labourers for the construction or fabrication work will now have to provide temporary latrines in the ratio of one latrine for 10 labourers, and separate latrines for women workers. Nursing homes, slaughter houses, and hospitals will have to make a provision for a suitable incinerators for the safe disposal of biomedical waste. No person shall leave any rubbish, handbills, leaflets, waste article, paper, cigarette butts at public places to create nuisance. All parents have been advised not to send their wards infected by a dangerous disease to school without obtaining a certificate from a health officer that the disease will not be communicable. The Commissioner has also been empowered to inspect any building in which a dangerous disease is reported or suspected to exist to ascertain and determine measures to prevent the spread of the said disease. The press note said the failure to comply with the orders would result in a fine up to Rs 500, and in case of continuing contravention the fine may be Rs 20 a day. The defaulter would be obliged to restore the place or wall to the original position and in case he fails he would have to pay the cost of restoration. The defaulters, who fail to comply with these bylaws would be punished under Section 65 of the Indian Penal Code, the press note added. Inaugurated: The Mayor, Mr Kewal Krishan Addiwal, on Wednesday inaugurated an "Apni mandi" at Sector 43. This will be 12th
"Apni mandi" for the convenience of the UT
residents.
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CHANDIGARH, Feb 10 —
Scientists and not administrators will be the instruments
of sustainable economic development of countries in
future, said Dr (Mrs) Manju Sharma, a secretary in the
Department of Biotechnology, at the AC Memorial Lecture
in Panjab University here today. The country invested a huge amount of material and intellectual wealth to produce doctors and engineers who must be retained in their respective fields.Dr Sharma highlighted the pioneering work being done by students and teachers in Indian universities. Dr A.C. Joshi was a former Vice-Chancellor of PU and later of Benaras Hindu University. He was also the honorary Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University besides holding several other key positions. Dr Manju underlined the need for greater emphasis in the field of taxonomy. The Indian flora comprising 15,000 to 17,000 species of flowering plants; about 10 per cent of which is threatened. The universities will have to revive their curricula and introduce more courses and training in taxonomy covering flora, fauna and the microbial wealth of the country. "While talking about education, my emphasis is on science education and scientific literacy in the light of growing scientific activities in the world", she said. She laid stress on the need for investing more in research and development. Prof Sharma is a trained plant scientist. She held positions of general secretary and was later vice-president and later president in the National Academy of Sciences. She is the recipient of the VASVIK award, the Norman E Borlaug award and the distinguished scientist award among others. Prof R.P. Bambah, a former Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University and a trustee of the Tribune Trust, in his presidential remarks traced the contribution of Dr A.C. Joshi. Dr Joshi was a man of integrity and the present day PU campus was the result of his untiring effort and of the team of new blood that he recruited during his tenure, he said. Prof M.M. Puri , Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the guests. Dr I.B.S. Passi, the Dean University Instructions, proposed a vote of thanks. Earlier during the day Mrs Sharma inaugurated new laboratories in the Department of Biotechnology. She released a book titled "Trends in Environmental Mutagenesis" edited by Prof R.C. Sobti from PU Department of Biotechnology. Seminar: A national seminar on "Geological aspects of environment" will be organised by the Department of Geology at the Mathematics auditorium on Thursday at, Prof Ramesh Kakkar from the Centre of Advanced Study said in a press note. The seminar will be inaugurated by Justice Kuldip Singh, a former judge of the Supreme Court. Protest: The Panjab University Teachers Association in a press note announced that it would intensify its protest action against non-implementation of revised pay scales for university teachers. Teachers wore black badges for the second time in two weeks. On February 12, a committee of representatives of all universities of the region and colleges of Punjab will meet on the PU campus. In a separate press note, the All-India Federation of University Teachers’ Associations said a protest rally would be organised on the campus on February 16. Refresher course: Panjab University will organise a need-based refresher course in environmental sciences for university and college teachers from February 11 till March 3, a press note said. Prof R.P.Bambah, a former
Vice-Chancellor of PU, will preside. |
S.A.S NAGAR, Feb 10 — The police has booked a widow and her alleged paramour for forging documents for admission of the woman's daughter in a local school. According to the police, Karnail Singh, a resident of Malout and an alleged paramour of Krishna Devi presented himself in a local as Gurdip Singh, the father of 11-year-old daughter of Krishna Devi, for getting her admitted to the school in spite of the death of Gurdip Singh on May 18 last year. The police acted on a complaint lodged by Mr Nirmal Singh, the father of the deceased, at the Malout police station recently. Mr Nirmal Singh alleged that his son did not die a natural death but was murdered by Karnail Singh and Krishna Devi by pushing him into the Rajasthan feeder near Malout. A case under sections 420, 419, 465, 468 and 471 of the IPC, has been registered. CHANDIGARH Burn cases: Pinki, a resident of Main Bazar, Mani Majra, was on Wednesday admitted to the PGI with serious burns. According to the police, Pinki sustained burns when she set herself on fire. Mr Bipin Kumar, her husband also sustained minor burns when he tried to save her. He has been admitted to Civil Hospital, Mani Majra, the police said. Hurt: A scooterist and resident of Shivalik Enclave, Mani Majra, Mr Yash Pal Singh, was injured when his scooter was hit by a motor cycle (HR-01-E-9682) near Hotel Shivalik here. A case has been registered. Lady injured: Ms Arti, a resident of Sector 15, was injured when she was knocked down by a car near Government College for Girls, Sector 11, here. She has been admitted to the PGI. Stabbed: Ms Gurjit Kaur, a resident of Dadu Majra, was injured when she was allegedly stabbed with a knife by an unidentified person. Motor cycle stolen:Mr Anubhav Gupta, a resident of Sector 21, in a complaint with the police, alleged that his motor cycle (CHO1-T-9081) has been stolen from his residence. A case has been registered. PANCHKULA Booked: Three slum dwellers of a colony near Old Panchkula have been booked by the police for allegedly selling duplicate watches to a resident of Mata Mansa Devi here on Tuesday. The complainant, Mr Laksmi Kant, said three persons — Hira Lal, Manohar Lal and Arjun — were selling watches on established brand names in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 500. He maintained that he purchased an HMT watch, which when got checked from an authorised showroom of the company came out to be a duplicate one. Theft : Two separate incidents of theft have been reported from the township in the past 48 hours. Burglars decamped with six man- hole covers, six iron grills and a motor from Aggarwal Bhavan in Sector 16 here. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered on a complaint lodged by the manager of the Bhavan. In another case Mr Pardeep Kumar, a resident of Sector 4, complained that while he and his wife were away on Tuesday thieves broke into his house and took away gold and silver jeweller, Rs 2000 cash. Mr Kumar in his complaint said the burglars sneaked into the house after breaking open a front window. A case has been
registered. |
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