Sandhya, Anita get roll of honours
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — Sandhya and Anita were awarded roll of honours in the annual prize distribution function of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, here today. Sandhya had been declared second best player in softball on all-India inter-university level and Anita was the best gymnast of Panjab University.

Mr K.A.P. Sinha, Joint Secretary, Finance and DPI, (Colleges) while presiding over the function congratulated the students. The Principal of the college, Ms Vijay Lakshmi, read out the annual report and brought to the notice of the chief guest the need for a functional dispensary for college hostellers and establishment of a gymnasium. Mr Sinha assured maximum help for the college.

About 240 students were awarded prizes for their distinction in academics. Among them were Harsimran Singh, Amrita Singh,Chitra Bhatia, Divya Sharma, Gurneet Taj, Prerna Puri, Monica Sharma, Versha, Rajinder, Deepti Garg, Vandana Sharma, Sonia and Latika Sakhuja.

The following are the prize winners for extra-curricular activities: Nancy — best dancer, Monika — best artist, R. Lakshmi — best vocalist, Rama Katyal — best instrumentalist, Prerna Puri — best dramatics, Pooja Verma — best blood donor, Latika — best speaker in English, Ruby Charak — best in poem recitation. Rina Gulia was declared best NCC cadet (Roll of Honour) and Shabnam was given Roll of Honours in NSS.

The following were awarded college colours for their achievements in sports: Nirmal — all-India 11th place in soft ball/badminton, while Simmi Rana, Tarminder, Shruti, Simren, Shikha, Mamta, Ashu Syal and Anchal were all Panjab University winners in various sports. Sunita Chadel was the best athlete of the college.

Impressive cultural show by students
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Feb 27 — An impressive cultural programme marked the celebrations of the first annual function of New Angel Public School here today.

The school celebrated the function with much fanfare by inviting residents of the surrounding areas and the parents of the students.

Bhangra, giddha, songs and other items were presented by students. Songs presented by Punjabi folk singer Kanwaljit Singh Neelon were the main attraction of the function.

Kirtan darbar and langar were also organised.

Mr S.S. Bhullar, Deputy Editor of Punjabi Tribune, was the chief guest. Besides Mr Mohinder Singh Gill, former Agriculture Minister, Mr Hardyal Singh Kamboj, President, District Congress Committee, Patiala, other prominent persons also spoke on the occasion.

Shabad rendition at Saint Soldier
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Feb 27 — Students of Saint Soldier International Convent School in Phase 7, here, rendered shabad kirtan at a prize distribution function today. The recital of gurbani was followed by ardas and a community kitchen.

Mr Sujjan Singh, Minister for Rural and Urban Development, Punjab, who was the chief guest, appreciated the concept of organising shabad kirtan.

Inter-house competitions on themes like mock press conference, waste to wealth and shabad were also organised. The trophy for the best house was bagged by Sahibzada Juzghar Singh House.

The minister gave away prizes to students who excelled in sports and co-curricular activities. Mr Karnail Singh Brar, Chairman of the school, disclosed that a computer centre was opened on the occasion.

The computer centre would be affiliated to Oracle group and offer regular courses for students.

Mr V. Tiwana, Principal of the school also spoke on the occasion.

School celebrates Elders Day
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — A medical check-up camp was held and Elders Day celebrated on the occasion of the third death anniversary of the founder principal of Sri Guru Harkrishan Model Senior Secondary School in Sector 38 here today.

Bhog ceremony of Sehaj Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and recital of shabad kirtan by students of the school was held.

A lecture exhorting the students to respect their elders was also organised.

As many as 150 persons were examined at the medical camp. Elders were presented mementoes by the students. They were also given medical tips by doctors.

Local girls top science test
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Feb 27 — Shikha Goel, a student of MRA Modern Public School, Sector 7, stood second in the senior category at the national level and Kirti Malik of the same school bagged the second prize in the senior category at the state level for performance in the first all-India level Science Talent Competition 1999-2000, organised by Putani Vignana, Karnataka.

The teacher in charge, Ms Seema Khosla, was adjudged Best Organiser at the the national level.

COURTS

Property dealer penalised
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Feb 27 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered New India Property Dealers of Pinjore to refund Rs 1,800, pay Rs 1,000 for causing mental agony and harassment and Rs 200 as litigation expenses to Ms Shanti Devi, a resident of Shimla, for deficient service.

The complaint had stated that Ms Shanti Devi had bought a plot at Vasdevpura in Pinjore through the dealer and thereafter, the sale deed of the plot had been registered in the office of the Sub-registrar of Kalka in 1994. Later, the dealer had collected Rs 1,800 for laying a waterpipe on this plot and had also given her a receipt for it, but, had failed to lay the waterpipe.

In reply to the complaint, the dealer had stated in writing that the son of the complainant, Mr Praveen Kumar, had given him Rs 1,800 for installation of the PVC waterpipe and had further told him that a property dealer was demanding Rs 1,800 from landowners in the vicinity for laying the waterpipe. However, all landowners had not agreed to the proposal and the deal had not matured.

The bench observed that the dealer had not indicated anything about the execution of the work in his written statement but, in his affidavit, had "sworn that he had completed the work'', taking a divergent stand. It was also said that he had failed to provide evidence and under such suspicious circumstances, "the affidavit tendered by the opposite party could not be relied on''.

Hence, the bench held that by not laying the external waterpipe despite being paid for it, the dealer had indulged in deficient service.

Redemption ordered

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ordered Electra (India) Ltd of Meerut to pay the stipulated redemption and interest as due on January 1, 1995, pay Rs 500 as compensation and Rs 250 towards the cost of legal proceedings to Mr Jagan Nath Aggarwal, a resident of the township, for not paying the interest and debenture amount.

The complainant had said that he had been allotted 20 secured redeemable non-convertible debentures of Rs 50 each by the company and a half-yearly interest of 14 per cent per annum. He had also said that in 1996, the Company Secretary had sent him a letter saying that the debenture certificate duly discharged be sent to him which had been done. He alleged that the company had neither sent the interest from 1995 till date nor had the redemption amount been paid to him despite a number of letters to the company.

Even after a notice had been served, the company did not put in an appearance. The bench observed that the rate of interest was also enhanced to 16 per cent per annum, payable by the company every half year. "Since the evidence of the complainant goes not rebutted because the company has failed to put in an appearance, the company has indulged in deficient service," the bench said.

CULTURE

Bringing the house down with laughter
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — It was a day of rip-roaring laughter and hilarity on the concluding day of the Festival of Gardens at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, which organised a fun-filled Hasya Kavi Sammelan today.

Organised by the UT Adminstration and CITCO, the event had 12 Hindi poets who regaled the audience with their charming wit and wisecracks. It was the inclusion of Shail Chaturvedi, Satyadev Shastri 'Bhopuji' and Ashok Chakradhar which bought the house down with laughter but other poets proved to be no less.

The evening began with Dinesh Raghuvanshi the stage co-ordinator, presenting anecdotes. He started the programme on a patriotic note with Dhadkan ki tarah Hindustan sabke dil mein hai. This was followed by an invocation of Ma Saraswati by Rajinder Rajan, a well-known satirist.

Then it was the turn of the youngest poet present, Deepak Gupta from Delhi. Not a typical-looking poet, Gupta appeared on stage in a suit. He doled out some interesting poems and bought out hollers and laughter. On the issue of dowry, he recited, "Humkum bajengey, mangu nahin dahej, mujhey ghar jamai bana kar to dekhiye." Commenting on the Prime Minister's bus trip to Pakistan, where he was offered a hand in marriage, he said, "Par mujhey to is baat ki hai khushi, ki Atal ji kunwarey laut ho aye hain".

The evening then switched on to a poetic mood, with geet presentation by Kumudh Sharma from Agra. A faltering Sharma, one of the two female participants today, failed to catch the attention of the audience. Her geet Chulbuli ladki not only sounded sad but prosaic and trite at times.

Another youngster, Ramesh Muskan from Agra, came on stage next. Commenting on the youth, he said, "Pooja Pooja Bhatt ki, khojey Hema Malini ko." He went on to tell how he was slapped by a young girl to whom he had presented a rose on Valentine's Day. On being asked why, he answered, "Apney apni party ka chinh diya, maine apni ka." His other interesting anecdotes revolved around eggs. For example, he said, "Andey diye hain, bhaav puchh rahey ho ya tareeka."

Then it was the turn of Mahen Sharma, a journalist with Dainik Hindustan. His lines like Garam kya hai, tawa hai, lega and Pant baar baar upar kyon kar rahe ho, bahut bura lagta hai, nahin karunga to aur bhi bura lagoonga brought the maximum applause from the audience.

Sharma went on to recite his well-known poem Ramlila on request. In one of his hilarious lines, he recited Ravana saying to Hanuman, "Baandari key bachchey, tu kya khabar laya hai."

Though the evening began late, crowds could be seen coming forth to Leisure Valley till the end. With the likes of Shail Chaturvedi and Ashok Chakradhar having acquired star status, the event was a sure hit.