The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Contest on environment conservation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The Govt Senior Secondary School, Sector 19 and the Children Alliance for the Protection of the Environment (CAPE) today organised a spring tree plantation and a declamation contest on ‘Environment conservation is our future’.

Fifty saplings of neem were planted in the school premises on the occasion. Mr J S Grewal, Vice-President, inaugurated the declamation contest. The following were the prize winners: Group I (Secondary) Kumari Kiran (1); Dinesh (2) Group II (Middle) Prem Parbash (1); Chetan Kaushal (2) Group III (Primary) Preeti (1); Anu (2).

Stone laid: The foundation stone of Shemrock Senior Secondary School, Sector 69, SAS Nagar, was laid today by Baba Lakhaji, Nanaksar wale.

Function: Students from nursery class up to Class IX staged a show of Indian classical singing and dance on February 29 at St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44. The programme started with Saraswati Vandana in Raga Bhairavi followed by ‘Jago Mohan’ in Raga Bhairavi.

Meanwhile, 110 students received academic prizes from the chief guest of the day, Rev Fr Thomas Anchanakal, Administrator of Chandigarh-Shimla Diocese.

Rally held: Non-teaching employees of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College (SGGS), Sector 26, on Thursday held a rally at the gate of the college to press for their long-pending demands, which include arrears of pay revision with effect from January 1, 1996, employment on compassionate grounds to any of the family members of the employees who have died in service.

SPORT

India needs more Vijaydeeps
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Vijaydeep Singh of Patiala could not have asked for at the 64 Senior National Badminton Championships, yesterday, where he won the men's doubles title along with Markose Bristow. He had won the title in the years 1995-96 and 1997-98 as well. Unlike Vijaydeep, few badminton players of India have concentrated on doubles event from the beginning of their careers.

Vijaydeep, who is an Indian Railways employee, also donned the India colours at the Asian Zone Thomas Cup tie in New Delhi held from February 13 to 20. Here, India secured third place and an entry into the finals, comprising world's top eight teams, to be held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in May. When this reporter met Vijaydeep at Delhi during the Asian Zone matches, he was the top cheerleader of the squad. He was certain that India would qualify.

At one of the European-circuit tournaments a few years ago, he won the hearts of the crowd by his deceptive returns to the opponents' smashes.

This 28-year-old player, popularly known as 'Neeta' among his friends, weighs more than 90 kg. At first glance, he seems to be more a weightlifter than a badminton player. However, it is his style, wrist work, deceptive play and flexibility which makes him unpredictable during the play.

Yesterday, when Bristow and he upset the top-seed pair of Vincent Lobo and Jassel P. Ismail in three games, Bristow gave the credit to this Patiala player only. In the recent Thomas Cup, their pair was rated below the Jassel-Lobo pair.

Vijaydeep had earlier represented India in doubles events at World Thomas Cup team championships in 1994, 1996 and 1998 in Singapore, Prague (Czech Republic) and Manila (Philippines), respectively. He also represented India at Asian Championships in Hong Kong and Indonesia in 1993 and 1995, respectively.

Vijaydeep was coached by his father, a former chief national badminton coach atthe NIS in Patiala, Pitamber Singh. Vijaydeep and his elder brother Navdeep Singh took to badminton rather late, said their father. At the NIS, they were attracted to all kinds of sport. Pitamber Singh, however, said he never forced them take up badminton. A former senior badminton player said, ''In 1980, Prakash Padukone after winning All-England title and becoming world champion, came to the NIS for a camp when 'Neeta' was only nine-year-old. One day, Prakash was playing with his Yonex racquet, rarely available in those days. 'Neeta' confidently asked Prakash whether he could use the racquet. After a while, he broke that racquet, too."

Vijaydep was a good swimmer and lawn tennis player as well, said his father. Navdeep, who was better than Vijaydeep in the game, also picked up well and both played doubles together. Pitamber Singh said, ''I had to resolve their conflict many times after they lost any match''. In the 80s, Vijaydeep matured into a good doubles player and Navdeep a singles player.

At Patiala, they used to play at the NIS and Polo Ground Hall where they learnt from players like Kultej Singh, Vinod Vatrana and Rajesh Malhotra among others. Vijaydeep also studied in the DAV College, Chandigarh, but, after he got a job in the Coal India Limited, he left the college to concentrate on the game. He has won state junior and senior doubles titles many times. He became the national junior doubles champion in 1990 and was also selected to play in the World Junior Meet. He also represented India at the 8th and 9th World Badminton Championships in Birmingham (UK) in 1993 and Lausanne (Switzerland) in May 1995, respectively. He also took part in the European Circuit in 1995 before becoming SAARC international men's doubles champion. He participated in 10th World Badminton Meet in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1997. Before that at home, he won the national men's doubles title at the 60th Senior National Championship at Bharuch (Gujarat) in 1995-96. He defended his title at the 61st Seniors Meet at Pune in 1996-97. At the 4th National Games in Bangalore (Karnataka) in 1997, he won a gold medal.

This versatile doubles player can easily adapt himself to be paired with anyone and he has proved this by winning titles in partnership with all top players of the country. These include Gopi Chand, Jassel P. Ismail, Vincent Lobo, George Thomas, Ajay Kanwar and Markose Bristow. With Bristow, past December, he also won the Rs 8-lakh-prize-money All-India Grand Prix Tournament at Lucknow, followed by the NSCI Major Ranking Tournament at Pune in January.

Prakash Padukone would be happy at his March 1 victory as he had said at the Delhi Thomas Cup that India needed to strengthen its doubles play. We require more Vijaydeeps in order to fill the void in the doubles event.

Soccer academy begins in July
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The Chandigarh Football Academy, first of its kind in North India, will become functional from July. Initially, the academy will have a batch of 24 players who will be trained at the Sector 42 Sports Complex.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanhsip of the Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), at the UT Secretariat today. Others who attended the meeting included the Secretary to the Administrator, Mr S.C. Aggarwal; the Finance Secretary, Mr Rakesh Singh; and Director of Sports, Mr M. Ramsekhar. It was decided that necessary funding for the academy would be made available.

The conceptual plan of the academy was also considered which would be set up in Phase III sectors. It would have a soccer stadium of international specifications, a practice field, a hostel and an indoor gymnasium.

It was also decided to form a core group which should go to the rural areas of neighbouring states to shortlist and select young players for admission to the academy. The selected players would be accommodated in the hostel of the Sector 42 Sports Complex, initially. They would be given free boarding, lodging and education. The Administration would liaise with various schools to provide them free education.

Athletics meet begins
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — The 39th Athletics meet of Central Polytechnic, Sector 26, was inaugurated by Ms Shanta Abhilashi, Mayor of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, today. She hoisted the flag and inspected the march past of athletes and a well-decorated band. The two-day meet will end tomorrow.

The result of today's matches were as follows: Hammer throw — Parminder Singh 1, Jatin Gupta 2, Balwinder Singh 3; long jump — Bhawani Singh 1, Vijay Pal 2, Annu Millu 3; 1,500 m race — Ajay Sharma 1, Jatinder Singh 2, Naresh Thakur 3; pole vault — Gurpreet Singh 1, Gaurav Sharma 2, Vijay Pal 3; 3000 m — Naresh Thakur 1, Jatinder Singh 2, Ajay Sharma 3; discus throw — Karandeep Singh 1, Jatinder Singh 2, Sukhwinder Singh 3; 100 m — Bhawani Singh 1, Vijay Pal 2, Arvinder Singh 3; shot put — Karandeep Singh 1, Parminder Singh 2, Sukhwinder Singh 3.

COURTS

Forum penalises firm
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Allowing an Ambala-based doctor's complaint alleging deficiency in service, the UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed a Chandigarh-based organisation to pay Rs 44000 to the complainant.

The forum, comprising President Mr R.P. Bajaj and member Mr H.S. Walia, also directed Biomax Instruments (P) Limited to “pay interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum on the amount paid by the complainant with effect from October 1, 1994, till December 2, 1994", besides refunding the cost of “Transvaginal Probe”.

Pronouncing the orders in open court on Dr Ajay Madan's complaint, the forum observed: “There is deficiency in service on part of the opposite party and it also failed to deliver two items to the complainant. We, therefore, allow this complaint with consolidated costs of Rs 5,000, including compensation for harassment and expenses...”

Compensated for crushed foot
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Nearly two years and a half after a cycle mechanic’s right foot was crushed under a truck, the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr S.K. Goel, has awarded a compensation of Rs 2,98,900.

The injured — Mr Gurbax Singh — was admitted to hospital on November 1, 1998, after a truck hit him. The injured, his counsel had stated, was going from Mauli village to Darua village.

Seeking compensation, the counsel had added that the truck driver was driving rashly and negligently when the accident occurred. The injured is 35 years old.

Pronouncing the orders, the judge observed: “The claim petition is partly allowed with costs and the claimant is awarded compensation to the tune of Rs 2,98,900.” The judge added: “The claimant is also awarded interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of filing the petition till its realisation. The entire amount will be paid by the insurance company.”

Five convicted of forging certificates
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 2 — Convicting five persons accused of being involved in forging matriculation certificates, UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Jasbir Singh has sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment for a year, besides imposing a fine of Rs 500 on each.

The convicts — Dharam Pal, Sarabjit, Shamsher Singh, Arvind Kumar and Daljit Kumar — were further directed to undergo imprisonment for another 10 days in default of payment.

They were booked by the Chandigarh police on November 27, 1986 for cheating, forgery and using a forged document as genuine under Sections 420, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the prosecution, the accused were booked after the police received secret information regarding the sale of fake certificates on November 12, 1986.

The prosecution had added that the accused had agreed to forge matriculation certificates for taking admission in different institutions "and in pursuance of the agreement did illegal act".

When confronted with the incriminating evidence against them, they had denied the allegations. Claiming to be innocent, they had asked for a trial. Seeking acquittal, defence counsel had contended that the accused were being implicated in the case.