& V I C I N I T Y
Tuesday, March 30, 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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Tuesday, March 30, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Guests from Pak to get
UT-style warmth
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Internetwale
dulhaniya le jayenge
Panchayat
refuses to sign merger document 52
trade unions join fast Community
kitchens to be closed Jaroth
Focal Point stone laid Cut
in aid makes colleges’ job tough Regaining
glory of ‘gatka’, ‘kavishri’,
‘dhadi’ Painting
exhibition by Kiranjeet Sohi Riders
for more Moto Cross events Regular
faults in phone exchange Punjab
employees flay Budget Power
cuts hit phone exchange Lack
of sponsorship stifles young talent ‘All-party
action needed’ |
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Guests from
Pak to get UT-style warmth CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Chandigarh Administration is all set to roll out the red carpet to receive the 1000-odd special guests from Pakistan for the one-day international cricket match between India and Pakistan at PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar, on April 1. Special shows of the Hindi film “Arzoo”, a cultural programme at Rock Garden, special shopping at the City Centre in Sector 17 and the Sector 22 shopping complex are among the several special events planned for the visitors who are expected to arrive here on the night of March 31 by a special train from Attari. Sources in the administration maintained that the Punjab Cricket association would provide all visitors from Pakistan dinner on board the train on March 31. A Chandigarh railway station, special contingents of the Chandigarh police would receive them. Efforts are being made to provide them accommodation in groups. A couple of school buildings are being identified for the purpose. “We are trying to provide them some decent accommodation. Keeping them together at a couple of places will facilitate their movement. The Chandigarh Administration is also making arrangements for their transport during their stay here. “Both on April 1 and 2, special shows, free of cost, of the recently released film “Arzoo”, are being organised for the visitors from across the border at Piccadily theatre. The special shows will start at 8.30 a.m. “After the show, the guests will go to PCA Stadium. On April 2, the visitors will be free to do shopping in Sectors 17 and 22. The shopkeepers have been asked by the administration to show special courtesy to the guests and, if possible, offer special discounts. “In the evening, there will be a special cultural evening at Rock Garden. Eminent Punjabi folk singers and dancers are expected to perform. Later, a special dinner would be organised for them”, the spokesman added. On the morning of April 3, a special train would take them back to Attari. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and Administration have also launched a special drive to spruce up the city not only for the match, but also for the visitors. Roundabouts are being spruced up, roads carpeted afresh and defective streetlights repaired. In a special campaign, the
enforcement staff pushed back all marble dealers on the
Chandigarh-SAS Nagar road. A spokesman of the enforcement
department said that they were asked to clear at least 30
ft from the road end. Some moved back voluntarily, while
others were pushed back today. |
Congress for
JPC probe into Bhagwat issue: Pranab CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Congress has decided to move a motion in the Rajya Sabha for pressing the BJP-led government to constitute a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to probe the Bhagwat issue, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, AICC General Secretary, said here today. Seeking at a “Meet the Press” function at the Chandigarh Press Club today, Mr Mukherjee said if the government did not order a JPC probe on its own, the Congress would be left with no alternative but to bring a resolution under rules 168 and 170 of the rules and procedures of the conduct of the business. Such a resolution could also be brought in the Lok Sabha, he hinted. Accusing the government of succumbing to US pressure by “deferring” the tests of Agni-2 missile, he wanted the government to clarify its position. “The government must clarify its stand on the issue as reports of the postponement of the tests had appeared in a section of the press”, he added. On being asked how India could be pressurised by the USA when the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had severely condemned the NATO attacks on Yugoslavia, Mr Mukherjee said it was a reaction with regard to a particular situation. However, that does not explain the position of the government on the Agni-2 tests issue, he reasoned. Regarding statements of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee that the Congress was disrupting the parliamentary proceedings, the former Finance Minister claimed the Congress had all along been extending “constructive cooperation” to the government as was evident by the passage of many bills such as the Patents Bill. In fact, it was the government which had been dilly-dallying on important legislations such as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner Ordinance, which was not brought before Parliament and was allowed to lapse. The Congress leader alleged that the recent talks between India and Pakistan had been held under pressure of the USA. While welcoming the PM’s bus ride to Pakistan, he said there was a difference between euphemism and reality and there was no improvement of relations between the two countries. Answering a question on Ms Sonia Gandhi, a “foreigner” being made the AICC President, Mr Mukherjee said it was a decision of the Congress Working Committee. In fact, Ms Gandhi was offered the presidentship in 1991, which she had declined. Her election campaign was responded to favourly last year and she accepted the post, he said, while refuting allegations of dynastic rule in the Congress. On the stand-off between the legislature and the judiciary in Tamil Nadu, he said the problems arose when one institution transcended its jurisdiction and interferred in the working of the other. We should put our heads together so that the institutions were strengthened, he said. On the Bihar issue, Mr
Mukherjee said the party was “helpless” in the
situation as it did not command enough number in the
Bihar Assembly. |
Panchayat refuses to sign merger
document ZIRAKPUR, March 29 — After the completion of 15 days to the objections regarding the merger of villages to form a “nagar panchayat”, the Nabha Sahib panchayat has shown resentment over the merger of the village with seven other villages by not signing the required documents. Earlier, Director, Local Government, Punjab, had called a meeting of sarpanches of villages to be incorporated in the “nagar panchayat” on March 24. In it the sarpanches of Lohgarh, Zirakpur, Bartana, Dhakoli, Himmatgarh, Bishanpura and Bishangarh panchayats had shown their willingness to form the nagar panchayat for this township, where no representative of the Nabha Sahib panchayat was present. The panchayat had already submitted an application to Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister Punjab, to exclude the village . Mr Ram Singh, sarpanch of the village panchayat, said most of the residents were farmers and the agricultural land of the village would be occupied by new constructions. The proposal would add to unemployment among the youth of the village and many taxes would also be imposed upon poor residents, he added. He said some political leaders and property dealers, who had purchased acres of land here were “playing games” for their personal benefits. He threatened to sue the government if the panchayat was merged with the nagar panchyat. Meanwhile, the Babhat panchayat, willing to be merged with other villages to form the “nagar panchayat”, has only been given an assurance by the authorities. Two representatives of the
Babhat panchayat, Mr Dharam Singh and Mr Jaswant Singh,
President, Lok Dal Punjab, were told by the authorities
that the issue of their village would be taken up soon
after the declaration of the nagar panchayat for Zirakpur
township after the tercentenary celebrations of the
Khalsa. |
Internetwale
dulhaniya le jayenge CERTAINLY a blockbuster, but don’t take it for another Kajol-Shahrukh film. However, the (premiere) title stands more fortified in the light of the fact that love marriages are thriving more on the Internet than ensuing Dil-Se, Film-Se or otherwise. Internet now braces romance on the Net which lately is increasingly transforming into a network of marriages. It’s the new-sprung choice with all bachelors who can not parry with their curiosity to know more about their probable mates at the touch of button. All this is happening in City Beautiful as Internet continues to expands its reach at a dizzy pace. Internet is the new medium to chat with friends around the world. ‘A small smoke filled cafe’ a chat channel featured at www.rediff. com is favourite with city chatters who have cyber-friends in city and around or Delhi being the farthest. MlRC (Internet relay chat) is in full swing for those who have lost their friends (implies admitted) at management institutions in Pune or flown over to Singapore or Malaysia. “All hail to the cyber revolution”, says Rupinder, an engineer and cyber-chat maniac, who is able to keep track of his best friend of college times, now posted in Singapore. “We share E-mails everyday and chat online on a prefixed date”, he thus describes his cyber-relation. ‘You have got Mail’, a film at Kiran early this month is the big push factor behind the accelerated growth of cyber culture in the city. The movie is about professional rivals, a male and a female who unknowingly are good friends on the Net. The hilarious part of the movie is when they practically use professional tactics as suggested online to each other. The impact of the movie can well be judged by response for E-mail accounts at various cyber cafe’s which have burgeoned in almost all sectors of the city and its periphery. For the information of all chat fans in the city — there is an all exclusive Java chat room which feature at www.chandigarhindia.com. Better go on and make friends online — and you never know it may be your classmate or the girl next door. Internet chats definitely are heavier on the pocket, costing nearly 70 bugs at a good cyber cafe. But still it is getting preference over phone chats — why? The obvious answer is the wider choice and assured privacy. The wider choice is quite evident since at any time, there are millions around the world chatting on the Internet and the categories are so divided as to perfectly suit your taste. Yahoo, one of the post popular internationals chat channel has separate chat rooms meant for teens, sports fans, trivia enthusiasts, Romance and politics. One can also choose to talk with celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar, Asha Parekh, Kajol or international stars like Leonardo or Kate Winslet, schedules for which are displayed on the home page of the web-site from time to time. Rediffusion runs an all exclusive chat room for cricket fans which aptly sobriquets as ‘The Pavilion’. With the World Cup coming close, the channel is all set to be a virtual pavilion. Yahoo chat also enable you to create your on chat rooms with specified themes and then invite people on the chatters’ list to join you for discussion on the same. “I feel bored chatting on the phone as there is hardly anybody to talk to about Archie comics in the city”, says Anupriya a class IX student of Sacred Heart. However, on the Net, she can exercise the option of creating her own room with entries restricted for Archies fans only. Let’s get across the city to hail all good users of the Internet Punjab Engineering College (PEC) is proud to be 100 per cent Internet Literate with almost all having browsed the Net and having personal E-mail accounts. The PGI follows, with doctors showing excessive interest in the Internet revolution. Dr Roziero, a psychiatrist, browses at Cyber City Cafe in Sector 17 for at least an hour a day. He searches for all information in medical sciences as well as it is his favourite passtime. Anurag, a second year engineering student at PEC is all pround to have 25 hours of chatting experience. He has friends (chat friends) all around the world with whom he keep in touch through E-mails. “Computers never used to fancy me but ever since I started chatting, I have become Net-savvy”, he comments on his new found obsession. Besides chatting for pass-time, there are ones really looking for life partners on the net. www.virtualciti.com. is a city base web site which offers a search for soul mates, check it out for some real good fun. Let’s talk a brief about E-mail. As you already know, it is the fastest means to communicate on the Net. You can have as many E-mail accounts by as many proxy names you can think of and this facility is free on the Internet. No matter where you create your E-mail account, it can be used anywhere in the world. So, this way, you are never away from your friends and mind it you can chat around the world with your chat identity being password reserved. So, good luck all
Net-savvy citizens for a wonderful net experience. |
52 trade
unions join fast CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Members of more than 52 trade unions of Punjab observed a day-long relay fast in front of the office of the DPI (Schools) in Sector 17 today. They were protesting against the refusal of the state government to re-employ members of the Nav Niyukt Adhyapak Union. The agitators raised slogans against the state government. They also decried the local police for ‘forcibly’ removing Mr Gurcharan Singh Randhawa, who was into the eighth day of his fast. Ms Rasham Pazli has taken his place. According to Mr Kulvinder Josan and Mr Virender Patel, spokespersons of the union, a state-level convention of workers, farmers and employees would be held in the city on April 5. In case their demands were not met, various unions would undertake a chetna march to Anandpur Sahib on April 7. Today, Mrs Gurkanwal Kaur, president of the Punjab Mahila Congress, and noted playwright Dr Gursharan Singh visited the agitators and expressed solidarity with them. Meanwhile, the fast of the
five agitators continues. |
Community
kitchens to be closed PANCHKULA, March 29 — The private organisations running community kitchens at three places at the Mata Mansa Devi temple here today announced their decision to close down these kitchens in protest against the collection of funds by the Mansa Devi Pooja Sthal Board in the name of bhandaras. The organisations — Shri Mata Mansa Devi Bhandara Committee, Mata Mansa Devi Sewak Dal Dharmarth and Bhandara Committee and Mahamai Mansa Devi Charitable Committee — took the decision at a meeting called by presidents of these committees. A spokesman of the committees said the community kitchens, which were being run by them without any contribution from the board would not be restarted unless the donation boxes put up by the temple authorities in front of the “langar” halls were removed. They said efforts to meet the officials of the board in this regard failed to yield any results. They alleged that a register kept at the entrance to the “langar” halls to record the reaction of the public to their demand was forcibly removed yesterday by the security staff of the mandir with the help of the police. The Chief Executive
Officer of the Mata Mansa Devi Pooja Sthal Board, Mr
H.S.Pannu, said a decision to put donation boxes of the
board in front of the “langar” halls was taken
by the board authorities. He said the board had started
its own community kitchen from yesterday. |
Jaroth Focal
Point stone laid DERA BASSI, March 29 — To provide the essential facilities to the villagers , the Punjab Government will set up new focal points in various villages having provisions of anaz mandis (grain markets), civil hospitals, veterinary hospitals, community centres and other industries, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while addressing the public after laying the foundation stone of Jaroth Focal Point here. The minister said that the focal point would come up with an expenditure of Rs 3.5 crore by the next paddy crop season. Nearly 15 villages of this area would be benefited from it. The youth of the area would get employment in the industrial units of this focal point. He disclosed that the government would provide rebate on various taxes for industrialists on setting up units in these points. Besides wheat and paddy, he urged the farmers, to grow the cash crops as the state government was planing to set up industries to pack and export them. During the next financial
year, Rs 58 crore would be spent on providing civic
amenities, child welfare and help to the downtrodden in
the state. A sum of 370 crore would be spent on the
Dashmesh canal which would irrigate the villages of
Patiala, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib. |
Cut in aid
makes colleges’ job tough CHANDIGARH, March 29—The proposed decrease in financial assistance for the purpose of higher education made by the Punjab government will have a direct bearing on the 139 aided colleges and 11 non-government unaided colleges. Besides these, there are 44 government colleges under the three universities under its preview, namely Panjab University, Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University. The aided colleges have been getting 95 per cent aid from the government since November 1981. The manifesto of the Shiromani Akali Dal says that the posts created after November 1987 due to increase in subjects and students will be covered in the grant-in-aid scheme. The Punjab government committed that the 11 unaided colleges would also be brought under the grant-in-aid scheme in its election manifesto. Panjab University receives 40 per cent of its deficit from the Punjab government and 60 per cent from UT. For the other two universities, the grant comes from the Punjab government. In a letter issued by the Principal Secretary Finance, Mr Rajan Kashyap, the universities have been advised to generate funds from students as well as housing accommodation with the university. The task seems difficult since colleges are located in rural and semi rural areas where the fee is about Rs 2500 per year and an increase would discourage students from attending college leading to their closure. In cities, the maximum fee being charged by the college is Rs 5000 per year and an increase would be strongly opposed by the student community. The principals’ federation of these colleges, the management and the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union along with university teachers are protesting against the proposed cut. They are in favour of hiking the fee by not more than 10 per cent every year. Meanwhile, principals, college managements and the PCCTU have decided to hold a rally at the Housing Board roundabout on April 5, though the decision to boycott the examinations was withdrawn after a meeting held at Jalandhar yesterday. The cut in aid to the colleges also figured in the Senate meeting held yesterday at Panjab University. The issue dominated the meeting for about two hours during which a lot of deliberation followed. The outcome was the formation of a coordination committee comprising Mr Charanjit Chawla and Mr SS Hundal of the PCCTU, Dr SP Gautam from the university, Prof GP Chopra of the DAV Managing Committee and Prof Anirudh Joshi who will represent the SD colleges. The local Member of Parliament, Mr Satya Pal Jain, has also been included. In a resolution in the
Senate, these members requested the Chief Minister, Mr
Parkash Singh Badal, to hold a meeting to discuss the
modalities on the proposed cut.
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Regaining
glory of ‘gatka’, ‘kavishri’,
‘dhadi’ CHANDIGARH, March 29 — On the second day of the tercentary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth, the Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi today presented an interesting fare of the popular but lost traditions of Punjab. These included “Kavishri”, “dhadi” singing and “gatka”, the famous Sikh martial art form. The celebrations were held at Punjab Kala Bhavan, Sector 16. The evening began with “kavishri”, a very popular form of singing of the Malwa region, in which the poets sings his own compositions without any instrument. Presented by Master Bhim Singh and his four-member troupe, “kavishri” was not only singing about the lives of the Gurus, but was also an absorbing fare that included quotes from the Upanishads, couplets of Kabir and even quotes of Subhas Chandra Bose. Interestingly, the troupe today was from Mauda village, famous for its legendary Robin Hood figure of Jeona Maud. An otherwise all-night affair, the one-hour “kavishri” today even had a composition based on a Hindi film song, making it resemble the modern-day “jagratas”. For the select audience, with most of the city crowd apparently weaned by Pandit Shiv Kumar’s recital today in the city, it was with “dhadi sangeet” that the true quality of Punjabi folk was experienced. The troupe of Piara Singh Premi, from Longowal, singing with the mellifluous “dhad” and “Sarangi” instruments, the Sikh “dhadis” sang about the Sikh history. In fact more than their singing it was music that lent an impassioned quality to the event being held in the open under a starry night. Amongst the “dhadis” of Punjab, it is the Sufi “dhadis” who sing about the folk legends and tales who are more popular. The last item of the day was the traditional martial dance form of Punjab, “gatka”, presented by the Baba Deep Singh Akhara of SAS Nagar. The picturesque “gatka”, which used spears and swords, was an invigorating colourful piece of performance. Tomorrow, the last day of
the celebrations, a Punjabi play would be performed at
the same vanue. |
Bank fined
for lost cheque CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II comprising its President R.P. Bajaj and member H.S. Walia has directed a local bank to compensate a complainant for misplacing a cheque deposited in her account. Mrs Santosh Kumari had alleged that she had deposited a cheque for Rs 1942.50 in her savings bank account in the Bank of Rajasthan, Sector 17, on March 9, 1996. However, the cheque was dishonoured by the Bank of Maharashtra, in whose favour it was drawn, because the amounts written in figures and words differed from each other. The Bank of Maharashtra returned the cheque to the complainant’s bank. However the cheque was lost in transit, so the amount could not be credited to the account of the complainant. The bank is its reply stated that the cheque was misplaced. The complainant was instructed to obtain a fresh cheque from the drawee. The bank further said that it had taken steps to obtain another cheque from the drawee. Due to this, the complainant had got another cheque of the same amount on February 7, 1997, which was credited to her account. The forum, after going
through the records, found that there was a delay of 11
months in making the payment. It, therefore, allowed an
interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum on Rs
1942.50 for the period of April 1996 to February 1997. It
also awarded costs of Rs 250 to the complainant. |
Painting
exhibition by Kiranjeet Sohi CHANDIGARH March 29 — A five-day exhibition of paintings, “Folk Symbols”, by Kiranjeet Sohi will be inaugurated by the DIG, CID, Haryana, Mr Satyendra Kumar, at Government Museum and Art Gallery here tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. Lieut-Gen R.S. Dyal (retd) will be the chief guest. Sensitivity and movement
between the spiritual and the mundane will be the
hallmark of 30 works of Kiranjeet, which she made during
her “one-year struggle in her artistic
journey”. She has dedicated her first solo
exhibition to the memory of her parents. She has adopted
pen and ink as her medium to portray her work. |
Riders for
more Moto Cross events CHANDIGARH, March 29 — They all had adventure in mind. They had no fear of losing or injury but only the killer instinct to excel in their sport. Ashok Raja of Pune, who got the Asian Rider award, felt there should be more encouragement for Moto Cross in India. He said not many sponsors were willing to finance this thrilling sport. Nipinder Jassy of Delhi, who won the Expert Class award, said he always kept himself prepared for such events. Gaurav Gill of Delhi made his debut in the event along with professionals like Raja and Jassy. Gill who learned the finer tips from Jassy at the Delhi Motor Sports Association gave a heroic display here in the Moto and romped home with two prizes — Open Class and Novice ‘B’ Class. Two bikes were at the disposal of the riders, and as Zubin Patel, the national rider, could not make it to this Moto due to fracture in arm, so Jassy was given the bike to give the performance. The four-member TVS team was led by Arvind Pankonkar and came with a truck loaded with bikes for all categories. Gagan Kapoor of Assam drove RX-100 as he could not find any good sponsor and he himself could not afford the bike costing Rs 3 lakh. Gagan said he could achieve better results with a foreign made bike. He has a dream of becoming a world-class professional champion. Ashok Raja is the national coach for the Sri Lankan team though his family stays at Pune. When asked about his poor performance in the cross, Ashok said he was having a tumour in the chest and doctors had advised him to go slow with this cross. Ashok admitted injuries in this sport and said he was operated upon in the left side of the chest a few years back and had a steel rod in it. Though expert riders used permitted guards, riders in the Novice category sometimes avoid it. Surprisingly, no
participant from Chandigarh took part in the event.
President of the Chandigarh Motor Sports Association, Mr
Shashi Garcha, feels as guys do not have any track to
practice, so they are afraid of losing in the cross,
though they are good at driving on local roads. May be,
we get some permanent land for the purpose, hoped Garcha
whose association organised this cross for the fourth
time in succession. He thanked Indian Oil for sponsoring
the event. |
Regular
faults in phone exchange ZIRAKPUR, March 29 — The telephone exchange at Zirakpur has become a picture of neglect as subscribers complain about poor service. Missing dial tone and difficulty in connecting are the main problems being faced by the subscribers. According to Mr Joginder Singh, a resident, “it becomes difficult to dial a number in the evening as routes remain busy.” The exchange lacks certain facilities. “If a telephone is not functioning because of a snag, the computer always sounds ‘all routes are busy’. Sometimes, it announces that a number does not exist. It puts a caller in doubt whether he is dialling the correct number or not,” says Mr Sushil Mahajan, another resident. Several subscribers complain of telephone services stopping at least twice a month. Due to regular faults at the exchange, all incoming and outgoing calls get affected. Several complaints to the authorities have not resulted in any solution, allege the residents. The JTO at the exchange
refused to talk to this correspondent. According to
Telecom Department sources, the main problem with the
exchange is overloading. “A new exchange with a
higher capacity is needed to tackle the situation,”
a source added. |
Punjab
employees flay Budget CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Members of the Punjab Government Employees Residents Welfare Association today burnt an effigy of the government in Sector 39 to protest against the alleged anti-employee budget announced by the Punjab Finance Minister. The protesters went around the sector, carrying the effigy and raising slogans against the government. They are demanding the immediate withdrawal of the hike in government accommodations and the decision to freeze the LTC for a year. Mr S.S. Mattu, a
spokesperson of the association, said they were stopped
on way to the ministers’ bungalows in the sector by
the local police. Later, they blocked traffic and sat on
a dharna. Protest rallies would, however, continue, Mr
Mattu added. |
Power cuts
hit phone exchange LANDRAN (SAS NAGAR), March 29 — The Landran rural telephone exchange covering more than 225 subscribers is not working efficiently for the past two weeks. Subscribers say that the telephones have become mere show pieces. The sources in the Telecom Department revealed that a fault had developed due to discharged batteries as the irregular power supply to the exchange renders it incapable of charging the batteries. It further leads to halting of telephonic operations in the area. There is no provison to meet such a situation because the exchange has only one engine and that too is in not working condition for the past one month because of its ill-maintenance. A subscriber says that repeated requests to the officials concerned bear no fruits. A PCO holder said that his
business has fallen by more than 35 per cent due to poor
maintenance of the exchange. |
Lack of
sponsorship stifles young talent CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Music is like a tonic for the soul. It stirs the mind and appeals to the heart. Even a person who does not have much knowledge of the raagas and taalas can feel it. A new-born child also sways to rhythm. Responding to music and enjoying its melody is a part of our psyche. It is considered a path to reaching God. Nature produces, music through birds and trees. There is no dearth of young persons who have a keen interest in this field. Many wish to create a niche for themselves and make it their career. Poonam Sharma, who plays the sitar, says, “Nobody at my home was interested in music. But I had a keen interest in it and have been learning it for the past five years. I occasionally listen to film music and pop songs but Indian classical music is my passion”. There are many young boys and girls who are committed to the traditional Indian music. But lack of sponsorships has proved an impediment in their goal. Indian music does not get much financial support from organisers of stage shows. They are interested only in huge returns, which classical music does not provide them with. Instead they hold shows of pop artistes and film stars, who have a larger appeal among the masses. Lack of opportunities forces many aspirants to sing at marriage functions and other parties. Harsh Sharma, who organises stage shows of music groups, says, “The love for classical music has diminished and western culture is quite dominant. Only the well-established names in Indian music are able to get sponsors for their performances. We also are unable to convince sponsors to finance our stage shows”. Mr Subhash Ghosh, who runs an academy teaching Indian classical music and fine arts, has students ranging from 4-year olds to 70-year olds. He uses music for speech therapy and for treatment of depression. He says, “There are plenty of college and university students who find Indian music to their liking. They are inspired by established exponents. Many perform despite financial constraints. Even foreigners are attracted towards Indian music. But absence of financial assistance is disheartening for the youth”. Mr Kaushal owns a shop selling musical instruments. He says, “The most popular instruments are the dholak and the harmonium. The age group between 15 years and 35 years form the bulk of customers. Some foreigners are interested in the mridanga and the tabla. University students are fond of the tanpura. All this shows the liking the youth have for Indian classical music. The market has gone up. The craze for fast music and disco numbers lasted from 1988 to 1994”. There are plenty of young
talented men and women waiting for a break. |
‘All-party
action needed’ CHANDIGARH, March 29 — “Political instability no longer depends on the numerical strength in the House and corrective measures and policies can be worked out only if all parties unanimously look for solutions to the politico-economic problems,’’ Mr Pranab Mukherjee said while delivering a talk on “Instability and its impact on the economy’’ at Panjab University, here today. Mr Mukherjee expressed concern over the transfer of funds from the planned budget head to the unplanned budget head which had resulted in eating into the income of the state and central governments. He said there was significant increase in the revised estimate because of diversion of funds to meet unforseen expenses. He highlighted that about 85 per cent of the total revenue came from exports and excise duty and there was a difference of about Rs 14 crore between the revenue and expenditure. Giving statistics, Mr Mukherjee informed the audience that the revised estimates had risen from Rs 2,32,000 crore to 2,35,000 crore for 1997-98 and then again from Rs 2,67,000 crore to 2,87,000 crore, which was alarming keeping in view the scarcity of finances with the country. Resorting to borrowing from international financial institutions to meet the deficit was the only option left with the government which was in itself a threatening proposition. An expenditure committee had been instituted at the Centre to keep a check on how the expenditure under various heads could be decreased. He stressed the need to increase investment. As the needs of developing countries differ from those of the developed countries, contradictions and tension among political parties should be set aside to work out a solution. He also commented on the acquisition of nuclear status by India and Pakistan and opined that the issue should be solved bilaterally without posing a threat to the two countries, which had been feeling insecure since the experimental blasts. Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal,
former Member of Parliament, welcomed the chief guest,
while the vote of thanks was presented by Mr Munish
Tewari, President of the All India Youth Congress. Mr
Venod Sharma and Mrs Santosh Chowdhary were also present
at the lecture. The lecture was organised by the National
Students Union of India and the Haryana Students
Association. |
CHANDIGARH, March 29 — A cyclist, Arif, was crushed to death by a speeding truck in Sector 31 last night. He lived in the Sector 31 labour colony. The accident occurred as he was returning home. A truck (CH-01-R-5581), driven by Kheloo Ram of Kangra, knocked Arif down, killing him on the spot. The truck driver has been arrested and a case under sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC has been registered. Three injured: Three persons, including a woman, were injured in two separate road accidents on Monday. Ashish Kumar of Sector 15 and Bharat of Sector 23 were injured when the scooter they were riding collided with another scooter on the road dividing Sectors 23 and 24. Saroj of Kajheri village was injured when her Kinetic Honda collided with another scooter. All the three have been admitted to the PGI. 1 found dead : An unidentified man in his forties was found dead behind the bus stop outside the PGI on Monday. Passersby called in the police, who shifted him to the PGI. He was declared dead upon arrival. Confiscated : A team of the Criminal Investigating Agency wing of the Chandigarh police raided a place in Hallo Majra village on Sunday and confiscated 70 LPG cylinders lying in the open. A case is yet to be registered as the police is to verify the ownership of the cylinders. Beaten up : Five persons of Kajheri village allegedly beat up Tarsem Lal, of the same village. He alleged that he was beaten up by Khushi Ram, Pawan Kumar, Sat Pal, Jaggu and Deep. The police arrested Khushi Ram and Pawan Kumar and booked them under sections 147, 149 and 324 of the IPC. Attacked: Raj Pal of the Sector 31 labour colony was allegedly attacked by some persons. In his complaint to the police, Raj Pal said that the attackers were led by Dharma. KHARAR Killed: Two persons were killed and one was injured in a scooter-bus collision near Mundi-Kharar on Monday. According to police sources, Naresh Kumar and his wife Sudha Rani of Balla-Majro village died on the spot, while their son Kaka was admitted to the PGI. The Nawanshahr depot bus (PB-12-C-9814) rammed into the scooter (CH-01 L-9354). Dalbir Singh, the bus driver fled from the spot with the vehicle. The Kharar police has registered a case against the bus driver under Sections 279, 337, 338, 427 and 304-A of the IPC. PANCHKULA One killed: A scooterist, Lalit, died after being hit by a truck (HP-12-2933) near the Haryana Roadways depot at Kalka near here on Sunday. The police has registered a case under Sections 283 and 304 of the IPC against the truck driver, Surinder Singh on the basis of a statement given by Subash Chander of Ambala Driver booked: The Kalka police, on Sunday registered a case under Sections 279, 336 and 426 of the IPC against the driver of a truck (HR-37-4276) for negligent driving. He had hit a vehicle near the Haryana Roadways depot at Kalka. Suicide: Dilbagh of Sector 15 here allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his house on Sunday. The autopsy was conducted at the local General Hospital. The police has initiated inquest proceedings in the case under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C. DERA BASSI Four held: The local police, on Monday arrested four residents of Panchkula in a “nakaah” on Gajipur chowk for smuggling illicit liquor. According to police sources during the ‘nakaah’, Partap Singh, Baldev Singh, Ranveer Singh and Ramesh Singh were on their way to Ambala in a canter (CH-01-B-1449). The police stopped the vehicle and seized 2,640 bottles of Hero whisky, a country-made brand. The suspects had been
doing the practice without permit for a long time. They
used to supply the liquor in Himachal Pradesh and
Haryana. A case under Section 61-1-14 of the Excise Act
has been registered against them. |
CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Parents of school-going children can heave a sigh of relief at the commencement of the new session this year because the prices of most stationery items, particularly books and notebooks, have remained stable during the past one year. Mr Ashok Guglani, proprietor of a book store in Sector 7, explained that since the price of paper had not shown any increase, the prices of all paper products had remained stable. For instance, the price of a small notebook of 120 pages remained stable between Rs 8-10, depending upon the quality of paper used. Similarly the price of bigger notebooks had remained stable between Rs 11 to Rs 15. A visit to some of the popular book stores in Sectors 7, 19 and 22 revealed that the prices of various “sets of books” prescribed by different schools for each class had remained stable. Even the prices of text-books had not shown any increase. Mr Guglani said that a set of books prescribed by St John’s High School, Sacred Heart or Carmel Convent was available for Rs 500-Rs 700. The sets of books precribed for senior classes like Class IX and Class X were also available for Rs 600 to Rs 800. Mr Vivek Manchanda, a bookshop owner in Sector 19, also corroborated these views by saying that the prices of other stationery items had remained stable. He attributed the price difference in various sets to the disparity in the prices of notebooks and binding charges. For instance, a single-line small copy was available for Rs 5, Rs 9 and Rs 12 depending on the number of pages and the quality of paper. While the rough registers were priced between Rs 10 and Rs 30, the ones with better quality paper were available for Rs 20 to Rs 50. The prices of brown paper and plastic sheets to cover books and note books had also remained stable at Rs 2 and Rs 15 a metre, respectively, and one could cover a set of books for just Rs 50. While a standard box of Nataraj pencils was available for Rs 18, the Camel erasers were available for Rs 2-3 and sharpeners for Rs 3. However, the prices of fancy stationery items available at the toy shops varied from one shop to the other. The price of plastic crayons prescribed by various schools for its kindergarten classes had also remained stable between Rs 20 and Rs 25, but the bigger ones were priced at Rs 50. Sketch pens available in the same price range were not much in demand, he said. Even water colours and poster colours did not have many takers.The drawing notebooks were also reasonably priced between Rs 13 and Rs 15, while the art file with plain sheets was available for Rs 25. Mr Manchanda, one of the main distributors of NCERT books in the city disclosed that the price of certain NCERT books had shown a 25 per cent increase while the price of a few more books were likely to increase in the next few months. To begin with the price of “Saras Bharti,” the prescribed Hindi book for classes 6 and 7, had increased from Rs 20 to Rs 25. Another text book “Let us learn Maths” prescribed for Classes 4 and 5 had also gone up to Rs 25 from Rs 20. Mr Rajeev Chaudhary, a
Sector 17 bookshop owner pointed out that preference of
students up to Class X was more for hitech point pens
available for Rs 25-Rs 40. The ball points preferred by
plus one and plus two students were priced between Rs 5
and Rs 10. However in case of pencil boxes, students were
increasingly going in for fancy metal boxes priced
between Rs 25 and Rs 50. |
‘Need
to manage desires’ CHANDIGARH, March 29 — “One has to manage one’s desires in order to use the inhibited powers to desire, know and do to the full extent.” This was stated by Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati from Rishikesh at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan here today. He was speaking on the topic “Changing daily life into yoga”. He pointed out defects in the teachings of persons who said that one should give up all desires to gain ‘moksha’. The powers to desire, to know and to do were special powers endowed to human being only and one should know how to use these powers, he said. “The main problem in using these powers is the ‘ragadvesha’ — likes and dislikes — that every human being has. I want to gain what I want and avoid what I do not want. I want to hold on to what I have and I like and I want things that I have, which I do not want, to leave me. This is ‘ragadvesha’. To fulfil ‘ragadvesha’, ‘dharma’ is compromised,” he elaborated. How to manage one’s desires would be the topic tomorrow. An Ame-rican child
psychologist, Dr Steve Heinz, also attended the talk. |
5 nagar
kirtan processions CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Chandigarh Nagar Kirtan Taal Mail Committee, which met under the chairmanship of Maj Naurata Singh Rangi at the Sector 34 gurdwara today decided to organise five nagar kirtan processions to commemorate the memory of all Panj Pyaras to mark the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa celebrations. The processions would be taken out on April 12. A procession dedicated to Bhai Daya Singh would be taken out from the Dhanas gurdwara. The second dedicated to the memory of Bhai Dharam Singh would be taken out from the Sector 7 gurdwara, the third procession dedicated to Bhai Himmat Singh from the Sector 29 gurdwara and the fourth procession dedicated to Bhai Mohkam Singh would be taken out from the Ram Darbar gurdwara. The fifth procession would be taken out from the Sector 46 gurdwara in memory of Bhai Sahib Singh. All these processions
would start at 12.30 p.m. and terminate at the Sector 34
gurdwara in the evening. |
Kirtan
darbars on April 2, 3 CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Khalsa Tercentenary Celebration Committee has decided to organise a kirtan darbar at the Sector 37 gurdwara on April 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eminent ragi jathas, including Bhai Jasbir Singh Khannawale, Bhai Manjit Singh Amritsar and Bhai Sahib Singh of Markanda will participate in the kirtan darbar A similar kirtan darbar
will be held at the Sector 20 gurdwara on April 3. |
Id-ul-Zuha
celebrated CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Id-ul-Zuha was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the city today. A large number of Muslims
visited various mosques, including the Sector 20 mosque,
and offered prayers. |
Plea to
extend ‘lal dora’ PANCHKULA, March 29 — The Manav Colony Residents Welfare Society of Saketri village has urged the Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal to extend the “lal dora” of the village up to 1000 metres. A delegation of the society today submitted a memorandum to Mr Bansi Lal in this regard. Dr Prem Chand Sharma,
Vice-President of the society, said the “lal
dora” of the village was fixed in 1917, but now the
village population had increased manifold. |
Kajheri
residents meet Jain CHANDIGARH, March 29 — A delegation of Kajheri residents today met Mr Satya Pal Jain, local MP, and urged him to regularise the houses built outside the lal dora. Mr Dev Dutt Sharma, president of the Gram Vikas Society, said all basic civic amenities should be given to them on a par with other regularised colonies in the city. They also demanded regularisation of all houses which were constructed by people on their own land. Mr Jain assured them that
no demolitions would take place and the government would
provide power and water connections to such houses in a
phased manner. |
13
activists court arrest CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Demanding the withdrawal of cases against their senior leaders, 13 volunteers of the mahila and SC/BC morchas of the BJP and SAD courted arrest here today. The protesters marched in procession from the party office in Sector 33 and sat on dharna near the AIR building chowk. They were arrested by the police and produced before a magistrate. On their refusal to be let off, they were sent to jail. Meanwhile, the local unit
of the SAD has demanded the immediate release of the
arrested BJP-SAD leaders following which the matter could
be brought to the notice of their respective party high
commands. |
Sports
tournament concludes PANCHKULA, March 29 — As many as 200 players from Raipur Rani, Barwala, Morni, Pinjore and Kalka blocks took part in the two-day district level panchayat sports tournament which ended at the Police Parade Grounds in Sector 5 here today. The tournament had been organised by the district administration. The Raipur Rani team block won the overall trophy by bagging the first position in seven different competitions. The Raipur Rani team defeated the Morni team in a volley ball match, while in kabaddi, the Pinjore team was defeated by the Raipur Rani team. In the 200m race, Sunil of Raipur Rani bagged the first position while the 400m race was won by Satish. In the 800m race, Sanjeev took the first position. In shot put competition, Rajinder Singh of Raipur Rani won the first position. In the women’s 100m race, Rajni of Pinjore bagged the first position, while in the 1500m Paramjeet of Barwala and Rajesh of Raipur Rani bagged the first and second position, respectively. In the tug of war event, the Barwala team defeated the Raipur Rani team. In a race for sarpanches and panches, Sita Ram, a Panch of Raipur Rani block bagged the first position, while Roshan Lal, an Up-sarpanch of the same block bagged the second prize. In the long jump, Vijay Kumar and Doda Singh of Pinjore block won the first and second positions, respectively. The Deputy Commissioner,
Ms Saroj Siwatch, said the Administration would provide
help to promote sports activities in rural areas. As many
as 170 prizes were distributed to the winners on the
occasion. |
Lecture on
Pokhran today CHANDIGARH, March 29 — An eminent sinologist and pro-Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University, Prof V.P. Dutt, will deliver a lecture on “Pokhran-II and its impact on India’s foreign policy’’ at English Auditorium, Panjab University, tomorrow. The lecture will touch upon the controversy over India’s nuclear tests within the country and abroad. It will be an analysis of the problems and prospects it has thrown up for the foreign policy of the country. Mr Hari Jaisingh, Editor,
The Tribune, will chair the lecture. |
Glass
capsule elevators CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Mr Satish Chandra, Managing Director, CITCO, today inaugurated two ECE state-of-the-art glass capsule elevators at the expansion wing of Hotel Mountview. To be installed first time in the region, the high-speed and energy-efficient elevators, besides providing ride in comfort, would provide the hotel guests with exciting natural view of the nature adorning the City Beautiful. A press note claimed that
the company had installed more than 11,000 elevators in
250 towns of the country. Mr Anup Sinha, General Manager,
was also present on the occasion. |
Toilets for
village school CHANDIGARH, March 29 — The Inner Wheel Club of Chandigarh Midtown, under its community development project, constructed seven toilet blocks for boys, girls and staff members of Government Middle School, Kansal village. The project, inaugurated by Mrs Sarabjeet Kaur, wife of Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, also provides for drinking water. The club had earlier
adopted the school for tree plantation, followed by eye
and dental camps. The present project, which provides for
proper sanitation and drinking water facilities, was
built at a cost of over Rs 1.5 lakh.
|
Function
for slum children CHANDIGARH, March 29 — Nearly 500 women and children living in slums and labour colonies of Chandigarh and neighbouring S.A.S. Nagar, participated in a function organised by the Manav Vikas Samiti here today. The samiti had organised
the function to mark international women’s day. |
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