C H A N D I G A R H   S T O R I E S

PU students fail to get roll numbers
Rush to collect duplicates as exams begin today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — Students of Panjab University from far and wide whose examinations are scheduled to begin tomorrow have not got roll numbers yet. Full of anxiety with the last-minute tension of exams, they had to stand in the queue to get examination identity cards and admit cards.

Ms Simarjit Kaur had to rush to the Joint Controller of Examinations office to collect her roll number. She had submitted her attested documents and examination form on February 4. The examination fee receipt (number 41760) was duly issued by university officials on February 14. But today, even after two months, she has not received the roll number. "I had to travel down from Delhi to collect the duplicate roll number. Today, I was asked to pay Rs 50 to the Centre Superintendent and appear for the first paper and then visit this office again. Meanwhile, they would verify my documents. Though all my documents were verified and attested by the Registrar," she wailed.

The Joint Controller of Examination, Mr Ashok Raj Bhandari, commenting on the harassment of students, said that one cannot verify the documents in two or three minutes. When asked why the duplicate roll numbers were not ready when April 14 was the date to collect the roll numbers, he said that the process got delayed because the photographs of the students were not verified. He expressed helplessness over misplaced and lost forms.

By the afternoon, about 500 students had already deposited Rs 20 to the cashier for the duplicate roll numbers and many more were still in queue.

Manju Bala of MA-I (history) had come from Hoshiarpur with her mother. She spent Rs 400 to come and collect the roll number. There were many more such cases.

The Controller of Examination, Mr Sodi Ram, said that the students could not receive the roll numbers in time probably because of five continuous holidays.

The students blamed the university officials for the acute last-minute inconvenience that they had to undergo today.

Super-speciality hospital gets Punjab Govt nod
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR April 14 — As a major boost to the health sector in the northern region the Punjab Government has given its approval for setting up a 400-bed super speciality hospital by a US-based multi-billion dollar company in the health sector at SAS Nagar.

The 250-crore project was today given approval by the Housing and Urban Development Minister-cum-Chairman of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), Dr Upinderjit Kaur. The company, Medilink International, is running over 180 hospitals the world over, of which 38 were located in the developing countries.

Giving details of the 250-crore project to mediapersons, the Chief Administrator of PUDA, Mr K.B.S.Sidhu, said that land measuring over 9.88 acres 4.88 acres in sector 62 and 5 acres in Sector 68 had been allotted to the company at a price of RS 9.07 crore. The allotment had been made under a PUDA scheme for allotment of land to superspeciality hospitals catering Cardiology and cardiac surgery, Neurology and neuro surgery, pulmonary medicine, nephrology and other super specialities.

PUDA will recover 25 per cent of the land cost. The remaining 75 per cent would be recovered in six annual instalments after a moratorium of two years. An additional land measuring 4.14 acres in sector 68 had been reserved for future expansion of the hospital.

Dr K.S. Chahal, Director of Medilink India, who was also present on the occasion, said as part of an agreement between his company and the government, at least 500 poor patients would be treated free of cost. He said the company was running a series of super speciality hospitals in Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Kuwait, Bahrain and South Arabia. Earlier the company had intended to set up the hospital at Banglaore.

He said a micro study was conducted in the northern region to know the key neglected areas in the health care sector. He said in the first phase a 200-bed hospital would be completed within three-year-and-a-half years. Bringing over 500 professor level experts of international repute to train the staff at the proposed hospital had also been planned by the company.

While providing employment to over 3000 persons, the super speciality hospital would bring in super speciality in disciplines of cardiac surgery, uro surgery, shock trauma and oncology .

Karmapa fine, leaves for Dharamsala
By Monica Sharma

CHANDIGARH April 14 — Tibet’s second highest ranking spiritual leader, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, today left for Dharamsala after doctors at the PGI, discharged him after a complete medical check-up. The Karmapa was admitted to the PGI for a thorough medical check-up after he was referred by the doctors at the Delek Hospital in Dharamsala to the PGI, following a complaint of a mild and occasional chest pain. He was flown to Dharamsala in a Beachcraft along with his sister at 8 a.m. this morning. He was seen off by Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

The results of all the tests conducted on him, including blood test, ECG, urine and chest were found normal by the doctor, according to the sources Dr Namgyal Lhawang, physician of the Karmapa, told ANI in an exclusive interview that the Karmapa was suffering from mild and occasional pre-cordial pain which could result from emotional disturbance. The doctors at the PGI have not suggested any treatment or further course of action, he said.

The Karmapa will be based in Dharamsala for the time-being and will carry out his religious learning and teachings from there. The Karmapa had left Dharamsala for the first time since he arrived at the headquarters of Tibetan government in exile on January 5.

The Karmapa Lama was brought to the PGI on April 11 for a complete medical check-up and was lodged in a VIP private room on the fourth floor of the PGI’s A block under tight security. No one was allowed to meet the Tibetan religious leader. The team comprising half a dozen specialists, including cardiologists and doctors from internal medicine, examined the Karmapa and satisfied themselves about his health. Togypal, Additional Secretary for Religion and Culture, and his personal physicians also accompanied the Karmapa to Chandigarh.

All-weather Olympic standard pool on cards
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 13 — Don't fret if the swimming bug bites you in the middle of winter. Both swimmers and learners have a lot to cheer about since the Chandigarh Administration has cleared the proposal to construct an all weather swimming pool in the city.

Although the city has eight swimming pools of various sizes, the city has little to offer by way of year-round training facilities. Training is restricted to the six warm months, which experts feel is inadequate to produce a winner. While the UT Sports Department maintains three 25-metre training pools in Sector 23, the Lake Club has a luxury pool of 50 metres. Other pools are at the local Press Club, the Golf Club and Chandigarh Club.

The good news is that, with the construction of a new pool in Sector 42, swimmers will be able to train throughout the year. The pool will be part of a new four-acre complex adjacent to the Sector 42 hockey stadium. It will be built at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Land has already been identified and filling work is underway. Construction will begin as soon as the Centre formally clears the proposal.

According to sources, the proposal was put up in a plan last year but was not cleared since the UT Sports Department had submitted a proposal to get astroturf for the Sector 42 hockey stadium. The government clears proposals estimated to cost Rs 1 crore annually. "We are confident that the proposal will be cleared this time since the first instalment of Rs 50 lakh for the astroturf project will be received here in the coming days," sources added.

Officials are optimistic because an architect has already been deputed to study the present indoor facilities available at Delhi and Bangalore before coming up with the blueprint here. The facilities available would comply with latest international standards and would offer the best not only to probables for swimming events and professionals, but also cater to people who are tired of the small polls the city presently offers, sources pointed out.

Dust-raising winds lash city
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — Dust-raising winds lashed the city and its surrounding areas this afternoon. Intermittent drizzle was also reported from some parts as the day temperature came down slightly during the past 24 hours.

Meteorological experts maintained that an overcast sky, dust raising winds and drizzle were because of some western disturbance which was precipitating over the region and may lead to some rain.

COMMUNITY

Betrayed for pieces of silver ...
Zirakpur's vanishing orchards
From Bipin Bhardwaj

ZIRAKPUR April 14 — Work has already started on Silver City, a housing colony set on 60 acres of agricultural land along the Chandigarh-Ambala highway about 2 km from here. The development, which claims to have Punjab Urban Development Authority approval, violates Punjab and Haryana High Court directions forbidding installation of hoardings, sign boards and banners along the highway but, worse than that, the development has so far axed dozens of trees and will spell the death of whole orchards presently flourishing on the site. Trunks of trees cut by the contractor can be seen everywhere.

“Yes, we had to cut some trees in order to lay the colony’s roads,” admits construction company project manager Sunil Banda, but he insists “we will cut no more trees; any future cutting will be done by the plot-holders.”

It is learnt that some years ago a group of NRIs and a Punjab-cadre IAS officer had sold their agriculture land to the housing developer.

‘‘After taking over the land, the company started cutting and uprooting trees. It’s almost barren now,” says Jagdev Sharma, an executive who crosses the area often.

“According to Town Planning Department conditions, the colonisers must set aside 35 per cent of the acquired area as green belt. This site is about 60 acres, so accordingly, they should leave 21 acres for parks. The developers have designated only four small areas as parks,” a local coloniser reveals on the condition of anonymity.

Residents of nearby villages accuse PUDA licensing the construction company without taking into account the number of trees which would have to be cut.

“Because of the many industries in the area, air quality here is already bad. With all these concrete structures coming up and no trees to absorb pollution from the air, it’s going to be much worse,” said After elimination of greenery and coming up of concrete structure after elimination of greenery and coming up of concrete structures Param Singh, a local resident.

Punjab Pollution Control Board member Ravinder Vaishnav remarked that on one side, the government talks of saving the environment, and on the other, it permits wealthy and influential persons to convert agriculture land into stone. “On this issue, no coordination exists between the various government departments,” he regretted, “Before licensing the construction company, PUDA officers should visited the site personally and then communicated with the Forest Department about the doomed trees,” he commented.

The Forest Act protects trees from large-scale felling, but Punjab, like many other states, does not strictly enforce the law.

Area residents allege that colonisers are attracting buyers by claiming the colony to be “an Indo-UK joint venture” but the construction company’s exact relationship with the UK-based firm is not spelled out.

Karnal resident booked on wrong flight
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — A Karnal resident was in for shock when he reached the city to board a flight to Amritsar but was informed that there was no flight today.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, who is an officer in Canara Bank at Karnal, was on a pilgrimage and was to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and Vaishno Devi shrine. He was accompanied by his wife and daughter.

Narrating the sequence of events, he said he was on leave and had planned to visit Vaishno Devi shrine. Since there was no seat available on the Chandigarh- Jammu flight, the family decided that they should instead go to Amritsar first by air and booked three confirmed tickets of Jet Airways from an agent in Karnal for today’s flight.

He said they reached the city and were taken aback when airport officials told them that there was no flight and they should contact their senior officers in Sector 9. Their pleas to help them out fell on deaf ears, he added

It was after a lot of persuasion that one of the officials checked his computer about the confirmations and told them that as per the chart available, their tickets had been confirmed for Delhi even though they had been made out for the Amritsar flight, Gupta added.

Luckily, my brother and in-laws are in the city and they reached the airport to get us in no time, but what about my plans and the loss of a day of my travel schedule. While the airline may refund my money, who will be responsible for the harassment and mental agony suffered by my family and me, he lamented.

Watermelons to beat the heat
From Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH April 14 — Beat the heat, cleanse the digestive system. But how? Watermelon can come to your rescue. Many roadside vendors, legalised by the Municipal Corporation, are selling this relatively cheaper fruit in Chandigarh these days. Watermelon consists of 95.7% water, besides small quantities of protein, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1 and Vitamin E. Experts say that this fruit with a balanced composition of vitamins and minerals helps in solving gastric and kidney disorders. It provides a cooling effect, thus rejuvenating the body in its entirety.

On the road leading to Panchkula on the Kalka highway, near the petrol pump opposite Kalagram, two vendors have an average sale of Rs 3500 to 4000 per day. Jange Ram, a stall owner, said for the past 12 years that they had been selling this fruit. The procurement of watermelons is done from Delhi via Jaipur in trucks every week.

Jange Ram was, however, of the view that since last year the Municipal Corporation had hiked the “sitting rate”. This was unjustified as during rain, the business suffers, said Jange Ram. Most of these vendors belong to the Bazigar community.

A master architect’s dream realised
By Kulwinder Sandhu

THE ideas of master architect Le Corbusier are not limited to Chandigarh only but shares a profound relationship with the city of Ahmedabad also. Last week, during my visit to Ahmedabad I came to know that he has left few of his works there which comprise two residences, a building of Ahmedabad Mill Owners Association and Sanskar Kendra — a museum.

The Villa Shodhan was designed for Surottam Hutteesing, a bachelor about to marry, and it brings to fore the life of the owner with financial status. And so his house according to Corbusier is an example of ‘male architecture’. Whereas, Manorama Sarabhai, a widow with two unmarried but college-going sons, needed a relaxed house surrounded by trees, which is called ‘female architecture’ in example by the architect.

And it was after designing these residences Le Corbusier at the age of 88, had said “I feel that now I am an architect and these houses can be said to be my architecture.”

Le Corbusier has left painting, sculptures along with architectural designs which makes him an artist of life. Today, after 50 years of its formation Chandigarh — the city Beautiful — is celebrating this occasion by organising travelling exhibitions of Le Corbusier’s work. Such exhibition — ‘A dream realised’ — was organised at Sanskar Kendra Paldi, Ahmedabad, in the first week of April which represented an architectural overview of ideas that became cities.

Though the show highlighted ‘the new city’ Chandigarh’s planning and designing, it introduced the solid philosophical base of the maestro along with his partner, cousin and architect, Pierre Jeanneret, whose ideas and dreams too have been realised in both the cities.

The entire works composed on panels, illustrated with drawings, sketches and photographs, portrays and revolutionary works.

Le Corbusier believed that towns are a biological phenomena. They have a brain, heart, lungs, limbs and arteries like human beings. And hence the Capitol Complex was placed at the top of the town to represent the intellect of man, where as a city centre with commercial buildings, shops and offices represented the heart. The spacious parks and green belts that ran through the city provided the lungs, as the network of roads for vehicular traffic and footpaths for pedestrians constituted the circulatory systems. This concept was highlighted in the show.

The exhibition even emphasised Jeanneret’s thoughts and attitudes towards such designs. The famous sculpture placed in Chandigarh shown in various parts of the country is ‘The open hand’, which is described by its creator as — to receive and to give at the moment where the modern world is bursting into infinite unlimited richness — intellectual and material.

In all, this exhibition was not only an introduction to exemplary works and designs of these two masters, but also gave insights into the lives of the architects.

The exhibition certainly showcased the life and belief of the master. It was organised by the Embassy of Switzerland, Swiss Arts Council and Schindler, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of elevators and escalators.

Club members celebrate Baisakhi
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — The Chandigarh Club members celebrated Baisakhi in a different way on the club premises. Women gave a treat to their husbands by organising a Husband Night on the occasion. They gave a wonderful dance performance. Children also presented dances on hit music numbers.

The ambience was pleasing as the women were all decked-up to impress their husbands. The show began with a performance by seven-year-old Divya who danced to the tune of Satyam Shivam Sundram. Nanu Banga presented a dance number on Nimoda.

Suprit sang a Punjabi song and a ghazal was presented by Surjit Patheja. The members sang ghazals, shared jokes and gave away prizes in lucky draws. The lucky draws, which were the chief attraction, had sponsored prizes, which included a grand prize of a return air trip for two from Delhi to Katmandu.

After these events, a ball-room dance was also organised for couples. It was a rather thrilling sight. This was followed by a dinner party.

There was an incredibly wonderful presentation of bhangra by women, who were dressed as Jats and Jattis. As many as 250 members of the Thursday Ladies Club attended the party which was very well organised by Ms Harinder Banga, President of the club, and her team.

Stress laid on meditation
From A Correspondent

PANCHKULA April 14 — The more you understand yourself, the more you shall understand the infinite nature of self. Then, all ambitions of life, troubles and joys shall appear trivial and momentary. So, always be conscious of your eternal self and remember that you are intended to achieve some higher purpose.

This was preached by Swami Vishwas ji while addressing a large congregation at the Sector 5 Parade Grounds here today. Rise above this material life and remember the lord and know that he is your own, he said.

He stressed that we all need to be spiritual and meditation is the best way to attain it. We need to realise our real self through meditation. Without it man can never truly progress. But what keeps us from it is our ego. The more can we minimise it, the nearer shall we approach the goal, he added.

Crowds thronged to attend the ‘’Vishvas Meditation Retreat’’.

The Swami exhorted,’’O Ignorant One, you have given up your infinite life just for the sensual life of a few years in this evanescent world. You have degraded yourself so low, so much so that your inner being (which is omnipotent, omniscient, immortal and eternal) begins to be perishable body that it shall die.”

Industrial fumes cloud Baddi
From Prem Singh

BADDI April 14 — With the advent of industrial development in Baddi and its surrounding areas, the problem of pollution has surfaced. There is a rise in noise and smoke pollution.

Smoke is posing a serious threat to the environment.

Although the town has carved a niche for itself on the world industrial map, poisonous smoke emitted by chemical and iron melting plants is seriously affecting the health of the public.

A number of industrial units have no pollution control instruments. They are flouting bylaws of the Pollution Control Board.

A steel plant in a thickly populated area has become a nuisance for the public. It emits poisonous fumes through its chimney all day long. The noise of the machines in the plant doesn’t let people in the neighbourhood to sleep even in the night.

Residents of the area have urged the state government to take immediate action in this concern.

The Sub-Divisional Officer (Pollution), Mr Avinash Sharda, told The Tribune that the department is preparing a list of the industrial units violating the bylaws. Such units would be punished.

A gift says it all

FROM times immemorial, gifts have been a part of our lives. Be it any country, culture, any occasion, gifts have played an important part in conveying one’s feelings to others. It is the only one thing that can convey so many feelings at one time like saying thanks, expressing love simply giving someone pleasure. Over the years the concept of gift has changed and so has its variety. What used to be a reflection of feelings earlier has now been reduced to mere demonstration of wealth or maybe at times, it is just customary like at marriages, anniversaries or birthdays, etc.

This tradition of gift-giving dates back to the times of kings and princes. Various kinds of gifts from rulers to the subjects was a common practice in those days. They were a reflection of the power and superiority of the ruler. During the middle ages too gift giving was a custom of the upper class. This became a common practice among all due to industrialisation and the rise of the middle class. Since then, the private exchange of gifts is considered a method of socialising.

In India particularly, gift giving is more popular on occasions like marriages and birthdays. Rich industrialists and businessmen often give the trendiest home appliances and the latest car models as gifts to their daughters on their wedding. Thus, it becomes more of a status symbol for all invitees to give the best gift possible. Keeping in view the era of brands that has come into being, choosing a gift has become an important question nowadays.

Earlier a boy could easily propose a girl with a simple red rose but now it has to be accompanied with a card and a stuff toy as well. Even the kids have become aware of the changing scene. They can no more be fooled by some goodies or books because now they are all aware of the video games, candy TV sets and even the mini computer sets available in the market. Changing lifestyles in the urban India, the commodification of the feelings and the vast range of products available in the market has changed both the context and concept of gift giving.

Come any festival and you will find all the shops flooded with gifts packs. Available in all sizes, packages and varieties to suit your need as well as your budget. Thus, many are lured to the gift giving practice to imitate several others engaged in the same. Be it quotable quotes of the cards, the glossy gifts at the shops or simple flowers arranged artistically, gifting is more of a trend than an expression. For some it might be an outlet of emotions but for various others it still gives a sense of security and superiority. It is easier to give a gift than to accept one, the reason being, while giving you have the upper hand while taking tilts the balance.

The changing face of gift giving rise to several companies particularly those involved in manufacturing various kinds of gifts that fit in for all the ages. The gift business has covered leaps and bounds in the past few years and is one of the most flourishing one nowadays. It also enjoys a high proportion to turnover every year. A gift still remains a symbol of care, concern and appreciation. It is noble expression though we put it to both use and abuse.

— Tanu Rawal

Tributes paid to Ambedkar
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — A series of functions were held in various parts of the city to mark the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution.

At the Ambedkar Bhavan, a function was organised by the Dr Ambedkar Study Circle where Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, local MP, was the chief guest.

Children of various schools presented a welcome song after which several speakers paid rich tributes to Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Dr Bhajan Kaur, Reader in the Department of Law of Panjab University, presided over the function. A community kitchen was also organised. A play “Court Martial” was also organised.

The BR Ambedhkar Welfare Council also organised a similar function. A delegate conference was organised by the Bharatiya Valmiki Sabha where Mr Piara Singh Shatabgarh was presented the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Award.

The local unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party also organised a function to mark the day. Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, President of the local unit of the party, and Mr H.K. Samplay, President, Jan Shiksha parishad, addressed the gathering.

The Chandigarh Territorial Youth Congress Committee organised a blood donation camp at the Sector 38 Stepping Stones School where as many as 102 persons donated blood.

Workshop on metering today
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — The Institution of Engineers will organise a workshop on New Electronic Metering Technology on their premises in Sector 19-A, here at 9.30 am tomorrow. The workshop will be inaugurated by Mr Jagman Singh, President of the Institution of Engineers India (IEI).

The workshop will focus on the new technological developments in the field of electronic meters. Experts will appraise the latest techniques, equipment methods, on-the-spot billing, pre-payment billing like magnetic cards and the key-pad technology.

Equipment with complete anti-tamper features, remote metering and control facilities will be on display. The workshop will provide a good platform for the people to get more insight on electronic meters.

According to the President of the institution, Mr Jagman Singh, the institution plays an important role by providing interaction between budding and established engineers.

CRIME

Priest charged with kidnapping
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH April 14 — A Sector 35 resident has lodged a complaint alleging that his wife and two daughters have been kidnapped by the priest of a temple in Sector 55.

According to Brij Mohan Jogata, his daughters, aged 16 and 14, and wife Agoya Rani, have been abducted by Ram Murti, the priest of Gyatri Shakti Peeth Mandir. His wife also took away all the valuables from the house along with her.

A case under Sections 363 and 366, IPC, has been registered.

Chain snatch bid

Sector 44 resident Rupinder Rattan Pal has reported that three boys — Rohit Sharma, Gulshan Kumar and Punit Kumar — came on a scooter (CHOIL 6656) and tried to snatch her gold chain while she was walking in the market.

The accused have been arrested and a case under Sections 379, 356 and 34, IPC, has been registered.

2 hit, injured

Sector 20 resident Rekha and her father Pitamber Dutt reported that they were hit and injured by an autorickshaw (CHV 817) near the Sector 27-30 roundabout.

Driver Nazir Ahmad has been arrested.

A case under Sections 279 and 337, IPC, has been registered.

Van stolen

A Panchkula resident has reported that his van, (PB 13 B 0004) has been stolen from Sector 17.

A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered.

‘Buyer’ drives away car
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR April 14 — A man drove away a Maruti Esteem car (PB-02-R-8236) while posing as a potential buyer near Sector 70 here today. The man, aged around 30 years, had come to see the car in response to an advertisement of car sale given by its owner, Mr M.S. Kohli, a resident of Phase VII.

According to information available, the youth on the pretext of having a test drive pushed the owner out of the car and drove away. He was stoutly built and wearing a cap. The police has registered a case of theft.