Robbers held after chase by cops
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The two automobile-mechanics, who had robbed a resident of his valuables, landed in police custody after an hour-long chase by cops which started in Sector 33 and ended in Sector 39 late last night.

The two, identified as Ashwani Kumar, a denter, and Raja, a mechanic, both working in the Sector 21 auto market, forced Sandeep Goyal, a Sector 33 resident to part with his purse, gold ring and wrist watch around 10.30 p.m. last night near the Sector 33 petrol station after beating him. They also threatened Sandeep who was returning home with dire consequences if he revealed the incident to anyone.

According to the police, the robbers, after committing the crime, left the place on their bicycles for Palsora Colony to stay with one of their relatives. As they were proceeding on the road dividing the Sectors 40 and 41, they were signalled to stop by a police party which was patrolling the area. But instead of stopping, one of the accused allegedly pulled out a sword and threatened two constables and tried to run away.

Nevertheless, the constables continued to chase the accused who entered the high-security VVIP area in Sector 39 by scaling the boundary wall, where they were questioned by IRB guards, posted at the residences of two ministers. As they could not give a satisfactory answer to the queries of the cops, the former detained the two who were nabbed by the constables of the UT Police who were chasing them.

The two were produced in a local court, which remanded them to police custody for two days.

A case under Sections 392, 323 and 506 has been registered against the accused at the Sector 34 police station.

PU may end PG defence studies
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The postgraduate defence studies course in Panjab University has received a blow with the Syndicate's approval for a new Centre for Security Studies.

The approval promises coming up of an autonomous research centre. The subject outlines the multi-disciplinary needs, including fields of economics, political science and the more visible military component.

Confirming the news, the Vice-Chancellor of the PU, Prof M.M. Puri, said the course in defence studies had been a big disillusion. The department had only one regular teacher which was not "commensurate with the dignity of the course". Even the course contents were obscure. The course, however, will continue to be taught at the undergraduate level.

The university constituted a high-powered committee, comprising four 'thinking Generals' and professors from the Departments of Sociology, Economics, History and others to study the existing course and suggest modifications. The committee decided to discontinue the course. It said that in the present form, the course could not be continued.

Prof Puri said the contents of the course had little relevance to the defence needs. The contents available to students left little scope for future improvement in the course or its application. The research centre would provide rich stock of information for the subject's development.

Prof Puri said in these changed times, internal threat had become a subject of concern. Security fear, terrorism and related issues were central to a large part of the world.

The developments for political changes had been seen over centuries, even in unexpected times. The subject helped in finding and recommending various possible steps for improving internal security.

'Sunday School' opens in Sector 40
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — A unique project, "Sunday School'', was inaugurated at Government High School, Sector 40-A, today by the District Education Officer, Mr Brahmjit Kalia.

The school Headmaster, Mr Bahadur Singh, said the objective of this innovative project was to encourage maximum participation of students in cultural, sports and other extra-curricular activities. Under this, the interested teachers and students will come to school every Sunday from 9 am to 11 am to teach and learn various activities. For instance, 17 activities were being conducted simultaneously in the school today. These include Bhangra, toy-making, knitting and tailoring, gidha and group song, Punjabi play, yoga, judo karate, flower making, special training to handicapped students which includes envelope making, caning, mehndi, acupressure, bed-repair etc. The sports activities include kabaddi, hockey, kho-kho and cricket.

Besides this, coaching classes in mathematics would be conducted for 20 weak students of Classes VIII and X to improve the results of the school in the board examinations.

The "Nursery Paradise'', which has been specially prepared to attract tiny tots to nursery classes was also inaugurated today. The nursery wing has been renovated in a special way from waste material.

As many as 100 saplings were planted at a tree plantation function, organised by the scouts and guides of the school. The DEO also planted a sapling.

Eleven teachers awarded
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — Eleven teachers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh were presented awards for their outstanding performance and voluntary services in the field of creative education, at a function organised by "The Educationist", a social organisation, here today.

These teachers are Dr Keya Dharamvir (Panjab University), Dr S.K. Rattan (DAV College, Chandigarh), Mr O.P. Sachdeva (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 47), Mr Savinder Singh (Government Model Girls Senior Secondary School, Sector 18), Mr Narinder Singh (Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 15), Mr Bonoy Bhattacharya (Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 20), Mr Sher Singh (Navyug School, Sarojini Nagar, Delhi), Dr Ajmer Singh (District Education Officer, Ropar), Mr Sudhir Kumar (Manavsthali School, Delhi), Mr Narinder Sharma (Dayanand School, Faridabad) and Mr H.S. Rana (Government Senior Secondary School, Bijarhi, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh). All these teachers are from physics departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dharamvir, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar. and Commissioner, Hisar Division, pointed out the vast gap that existed in the educational set-up and the extent of wastage. He lashed out at those private schools which were not paying better grades to their teachers even after charging exorbitant fees from students.

Mr Dharamvir also emphasised on the need to release the 6 per cent GDP allocated for education in the central expenditure for the growth of educational institutes in the country. He revealed that only 2 per cent was being released at present.

The executive council, comprising subject teachers from different states, in a meeting held later, decided to organise a "Trio Olympiad" this year for classes IX, X, XI and XII separately in science, physics and biology. The "Physics Olympiad" would be conducted under Dr Keya Dharamvir, the "Science Olympiad" under Dr Gurdev Singh Joshi, and the "Biology Olympiad" under Dr K.L. Toky.

The test is scheduled for December 26 and the last date for receipt of applications is October 31.

The test will comprise subjective and objective type papers for classes XI and XII and subjective type papers for classes IX and X. The first three toppers of each Olympiad will be given first, second and third positions in each class with merit certificates, trophies, cash prizes and free subject books.

An author-teacher interaction programme for providing quality education through books was also held.

Low calorie food carnival begins
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 26 — For the calorie conscious, it is time for a feast with the North India Institute of Hotel Management (NIIHM) here having drawn up a low calorie diet in consultation with experts from a local health club and beauty parlour for a week-long carnival beginning today.

They have laid a cuisine for the carnival suiting people from all walks of life and all age groups with students of the institute serving guests. A special attraction of the carnival will be surprise lucky prizes and mega draw on the last day, October 3.

Meanwhile, speaking of the collaboration between the institute and the health club, the Director of the institute, Ms Veena Jain, said such programmes would be organised on bi-monthly basis. She also said the concentration of the next special week would be on adolescents and their diet, following which a special cuisine for the diabetic would also be planned.

Ms Jain said the institute was going in for a therapeutic diet counselling unit and a nutrition-information dissemination centre which would help cure various disorders, besides helping in weight reduction.

The Vice-President of the NIIHM, Mr Vijay Bahri, said the institute, too, was working on evolving a low calorie diet which was the preference of most persons. “Besides organising special weeks, we are trying to introduce these items on our hotel menu,” he said. He added that the week was about telling people that a high calorie content was not required in the food to make it delicious, besides introducing good and healthy food.

Weekly meetings of experts on nutrition for the benefit of students of the institute will also be organised.

Aero-modelling display at Panchkula
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 26 — The Haryana Tourism Department came through with flying colours during an aero-modelling display programme organised as part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the department at the Cricket Stadium in Sector 5 here today.

As many as 45 models of aircraft were flown during the hour-long function. These models also included those of original designs and were ably manoeuvred by the modellers who made these spin and roll at the click of a button.

The show began with "Eagle" soaring into the sky and after displaying its acrobatic skills came down right above the dignitaries present at the function and showered rose petals on the dignitaries. The compere explained that this plane was used to drop supplies in inhospitable terrain during war and ``always had its belly full''.

The model of the Mirage was the cynosure of all eyes as it took to the sky and made an inverted pass with the wheels on top followed by a victory roll on the successful attempt. Children, the more excited of the lot in the audience, craned their necks even as their eyes watered when the model ran into the direction of the sun, to absorb the move of the aircraft that had won the war at Kargil for India.

The Pushpak, a helicopter and other models by such names as Sky Fury, Super Sportster, Prithvi and Big Boss were among the many to demonstrate their flying skills. Vikram, a six-year old, flew his small plane with a catapult with class. Besides, there was a static-model display at the venue which most children watched in awe. The show was put up by the Modellers Educational Society which endeavours to promote aeromodelling throughout India.

Earlier, a cycle rally-cum-race was also organised by the department. G Nice Kang, a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Monika Sharma of Shishu Niketan and Amandeep Kaur of Vivek High School were declared first, second and third respectively. In the category for boys, Ankur Kaul of St Annes was second while Vivek Sharma of DAV College was declared third. Lila Dhar, who was first in the race, was awarded a consolation prize after being found exceeding the age-limit set by the organisers by a few months. The first prize was Rs 2,000, the second prize was Rs 1,000 and the third was Rs 750.

The race was flagged off from Red Bishop in Sector 1 and terminated at the Cricket Stadium after covering a distance of 9 km.

Speaking at the prize distribution function held later in the day, Mr R.S. Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board, appreciated the efforts of Haryana Tourism in organising the event for students and added that it would not only create an awakening amongst them about tourism but also inspire them to take keen interest in sports.

The others present on the occasion included Mr Vivek Joshi, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Mittal, Superintendent of Police, and the Managing Director of Haryana tourism, Mr Rajesh Khullar.

Sector 47-C market lacks amenities
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The Market Welfare Association of Sector 47-C has complained of lack of basic amenities in the market.

According to a press note issued here by the association, the wild growth at the rear of showrooms ( Nos 98 to 116) had made the way leading to the basements unapproachable. There was no road at the backside and streetlights had not been functioning.

The parking area has potholes and there was accumulation of muddy water on account of the leakage from the water supply line. Similarly, the possession of the booths constructed for the rehri market had not yet been given.

The press note also demanded the construction of the V-3 road from junction 53 to V-4 road which was a link between the Industrial Area, Phase II, to Sectors 47-48 and SAS Nagar.

Stress to check AIDS menace
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — Experts and AIDS control programme directors of Punjab and Haryana today expressed concern at the rising number of HIV-infected persons and stressed the need for administrative and financial decentralisation with a view to combat the menace.

Addressing a press conference on “HIV/AIDS containment in North Western region”, they laid special emphasis on the mobilisation of NGOs and the youth in changing the course of the epidemic and effective implementation of various programmes chalked out by the central government.

Dr Satnam Singh, Honorary Director of the Regional Institute of Public Health, Chandigarh, who was the coordinator, informed that about 4 million persons were HIV-infected, in India. This was the largest number of HIV-infected persons in the world. More than 1 per cent of the adult population was suspected to be infected.

There was a rising trend of HIV spread from urban to rural areas. About 50 per cent of the infections are in the young people and women and young girls were particularly vulnerable, he warned.

Dr Shoba Sehgal, Emeritus Scientist of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), informed that though a majority of the truck drivers contracted AIDS from brothels in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai, there was “rampant prostitution” along the highways in states like Rajasthan and Punjab, which contributed significantly to the rising incidence of the disease.

“Dhabas” along highways largely resulted in the spread of the disease. As there were no red light areas in Punjab, the targeted intervention was virtually impossible, she added.

Dr GS Chahal, Additional Project Director, Punjab, said since over 50 per cent of the truck drivers of the country were from Punjab, the state government planned to start the targeted intervention by involving the families of the truckers. The state government had already launched the projects for the truckers at Amritsar, Zirakpur and SAS Nagar in collaboration with the British High Commission.

He informed that about 80,000 units of blood were being tested in the 52 licensed blood banks in the state.

Mr RK Khullar, Director AIDS Control, Haryana, said apart from high-risk groups such as the commercial sex workers and truckers and their families, surgeons were also at high risk. Dr Somesh Gupta, from the Department of Dermatology, PGI, however, differed with Mr Khullar saying that the prevalence among surgeons was not high.

Another issue which generated a lot of discussion was whether a blood donor should be told if he was HIV positive. While Mr Khullar advocated that it should be disclosed only if the blood donor wanted to know about it, Dr Sehgal was of the view that it was unethical to withhold information from the family of the HIV positive person.

Education system 'needs change'
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — In the current competitive environment, when the world is shrinking to a global village and when the traditional methods of employment, especially in the hospitality industry, are yielding place to more professional and sophisticated ways of training, there is need to look for more dynamic and innovative ways to meet the challenges of human resource development in the next millennium.

These views were expressed by Prof Gary Prosser, head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Southern Cross University in Australia, while addressing a seminar on emerging trends in the tourism and hospitality industry on the eve of World Tourism Day.

Professor Prosser said that new skills and technologies would have to be acquired to transform the present static organisations into dynamic ones to meet the customer requirements of the future. There was need for drastic changes in the existing educational system to meet the needs of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

He also disclosed that Southern Cross University and ITFT-Chandigarh had jointly started a master international tourism management (MBA) one-year degree course, which would entail ten months of study at Chandigarh and two months in Australia. During their stay at Australia, students would undergo industrial training and visit important places.

At the seminar it was also disclosed that the nationalised banks in India would support this educational programme by providing long-term loans.

Professor Prosser, talking about tourism education in Australia, added that out of 37 universities 30 had introduced tourism and hospitality management courses.

Certificates to the participants in the seminar were distributed today.

School kids interact with CSIO scientists
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Sector 30, celebrated the foundation day of the CSIR today by organising an open house for the general public.

Later, Prof V.K. Kak, Director-Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and Secretary, Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh Administration, delivered a lecture on medical instrumentation — the need of the new millennium.

He said the present century had seen advances in various sciences. The next millennium would belong to the field of virtual reality and information technology influencing medical and surgical treatment. The training of future doctors would greatly benefit from the advances of microelectronics, imaging, endoscopy , robotics and simulations techniques, he added.

Dr R.P. Bajpai, Director of CSIO, honoured the staff members who had completed 25 years of regular service in the CSIR and those who retired from service between the period September 26,1998, and September 26,1999. Earlier, he welcomed the chief guest and highlighted the significance of the CSIR foundation day.

In the morning, a large number of students from various schools visited labs of the CSIO. This provided them an opportunity to see the live demonstration of the instruments developed at the CSIO and a chance to interact with scientists.

Professor Kak gave away prizes to the winners of the essay writing competition organised as part of the CSIR foundation day. While Priya Mehta and Tarun Chhabra were awarded the first and the second prizes, respectively, in the category of up to Class V, C. Meghashyam and Shubhi Agarwal were given the first and second prizes in the category of up to Class VIII.

Amit Agarwal and Jaspreet Kaur were provided with the first and second, prizes, respectively in the category of up to Class X.

SNIPPETS

Road Safety Day observed
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, Sept 26 — members of the local Rotary Club and Rotract Club organised road safety day here today. the members educated local drivers and those belonging to rural areas about road rules.

Hundreds of light reflectors and head-light stickers were pasted on vehicles. illiterate tractor drivers from nearby villages were also educated about plying of vehicles on main roads. They were also educated about vehicular pollution, fuel saving methods and ways to minimise accidents.

Mr Surjit Singh, Mr Dhanwant Singh, Chairman Market Committee, Dera Bassi, Mr Jassa Singh, SHO, Mr Bhupinder Singh Saini, president of the Rotary Club and Mr Praveen Saini were among those present on the occasion.

Stone of diagnostic centre laid
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 26 — The foundation stone of a charitable diagnostic centre was laid by Mr Palitha Abheykoon, representative of World Health Organisation in India, and Mr Justice V.K. Bali, a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, at the nursing home site in Sector 4 of Mansa Devi Complex here today.

Later, the two inaugurated a diagnostic centre, which became functional from today, in Mani Majra. Mr Abheykoon, in his address, said the high level of motivation among the upper class to be of service to the community and the rapid development of technology in health was bound to wipe out most of the diseases which were considered incurable.

He added that a health revolution was on the anvil. This would enable mapping out of every single protein and tissue in the body, making it easy to diagnose a problem, ascertain its root cause and finally work out its cure. He also said the trust and WHO could get together and work out a plan for co-operation in the field of health and in wiping out dreaded diseases.

Mr Justice Bali presided over the function and appealed to the audience to devote funds towards the cause. He said the well-to-do could easily dole out financial assistance to bodies working for the betterment of society. He added that he would personally take interest in the welfare of the down-trodden who would come to the centre for diagnosis, by spending a couple of hours at the place after he retires from service.

He opined that despite the government making efforts to uplift the standard of health, the constantly-rising population graph of the country was bringing efforts to a naught and that was where the voluntary organisations had a big role to play. Dr Naresh Mittal, General Secretary of the trust, read out the report, while elaborating on the plan of expanding the centre to provide greater facilities.

Staff association name changed
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 26 — The Punjab School Education Board Karamchari Association has changed its name to the Punjab School Education Board Non-teaching Karamchari Association.

Disclosing this, the General Secretary of the association, Mr Jarnail Singh Brar, said the change in the name of the employees' association, which was part of the amendments in the constitution of the association, had been approved by the general body of the association in a recent meeting.

The schoolteachers and members of the academic faculty will no more be members of the association.

The district depot of the board had been divided into two zones and the members of the working committee at the depot level would be elected by the employees, posted at the depots.

Only regular members will be members of the association.

Mr Brar said the constitution of the association would be translated into Punjabi also.

Experts discuss care of contact lenses
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — On the second day of the national symposium on 'Contact Lens and Vision Correction Alternatives', organised by the Department of Opthalmology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, here today, subjects discussed by experts included contact lens care and maintenance, therapeutic and cosmetic contact lens wear and recent advances in contact lenses.

According to Dr Jagjit S. Saini, Co-ordinator of the symposium, it aimed at providing guidelines for accessing quality education, on-hand experience for beginners and extensive interactive discussions on new and emerging technologies. There were about 250 delegates from around the country.

Most experts emphasised on taking care of cleaning of contact lenses and strictly following instructions given by practitioners while using lenses. They revealed that advanced technology was making bi-focal lenses and lenses providing protection against ultra-violet rays available.

The morning session included a hands-on workshop on fitting of toric soft lenses. The session also included lectures on 'Vision Correction in the New Millennium', 'Cosmetic Contact Lenses', 'Paediatric Age Contact Lenses' and 'Problems and Solutions of Managing Contact Lens Practice and Business in India'.

The two-day symposium also addressed the issues of alternative methods of correcting refractive errors, which included excimer laser and non-laser techniques. There are almost 250 million Indians wearing glasses, with 60 to 70 per cent of the patients visiting tertiary eye care hospitals, including the PGI, complaining of refractive problems.

Interactive session with writer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The Punjab Sahitya Akademi today organised an interactive session with eminent writer and Member of the Rajya Sabha, Dr Kartar Singh Duggal, in its 'Ru-Ba-Ru' session at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 here.

The author has penned ten novels, 24 short-stories, seven plays and much more in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu and English. He has also written for radio, television, theatre and newspaper publications. He delivered an insightful talk on 'The Flow of Creative Juices' and his dialogue on life and death.

Dr Duggal's dialogue on life and death was poignant and moving. It was a reflective talk on how an octogenarian feels about death — not with angst or anxiety but with confidence and tranquility.

Talking about his creative juices, Dr Duggal said at times when he was honoured by people, he often asked himself who he was. He said this feeling haunted him even while reading some of his old compositions or writing new novels.

Following the talk, an interactive session with the audience was also held. Earlier in the morning, the Punjab Arts Council welcomed Dr Duggal at a function held at the same venue.

Week-long celebrations conclude
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Sept 26 — The 'Parishad Week' celebrations by the local unit of the Bharat Vikas Parishad ended at Parishad Bhavan in Sector 12-A here yesterday. During the week-long celebrations, as many as 13 teams comprising 150 students of private and government schools participated in a National Group Song Competition.

The winning teams, Nobel Public School, Pinjore, and DC Model School, Sector 7, here, will participate in a state-level National Group Song Competition to be held at Narnaul. Mr Vinod Jaidka, Press Secretary of the parishad, said as part of the celebrations, fruits and sweets were distributed among inmates of Bal Sadan, Saket Hospital and Ashiana.

Bonanza of classical music in city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH Sept 26 — A bonanza of classical music awaits music lovers of the city during a two-day 'Hemantotsav' to be organised by the Chandigarh Administration and the Durga Das Foundation on the Nehru Bhavan campus in Sector 24.

On the evening of October 7, noted flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia will regale the audience. The credit for popularising flute at home and abroad goes to Pandit Chaurasia. To him also goes the credit of introducing the "jor" and the "alap" to the playing of the flute. His particular blowing technique is a distinctive mark.

A Hindustani vocal recital will be held on October 8 by the doyen of India classical music, Begum Parveen Sultana. Her style of singing has an individuality about it which is not hedged in by trappings of any gharana.

According to the Director of the Foundation, Mr Atul Khanna, invitations for the festival will be available from Nehru Bhavan from October 1 on a first-come-first-serve basis.

LIC officers express concern
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 26 — The Life Insurance Corporation Class I Officers Association has expressed concern over the delay in settling of demands of employees by the LIC management.

In a press note issued here today, Mr Amarjit Singh Dhawan, Secretary of the association, said the delay in the implementation of demands was causing anxiety in the minds of employees. He said while the central government had enhanced wages of its employees 3.25 times, the LIC management had done nothing in that direction.

He added that the management should come forward to offer a wage rise. He also said a rational promotion policy should be codified by the management at the earliest.