The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Sikh bodies for ban on RSS
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Nineteen prominent Sikh organisations and prominent individuals staged a protest demanding a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and against the honouring of its sarsangchalak, Mr K.C. Sudershan, at a function in a local school here today.

The agitators, who assembled at the Sector 34 gurdwara, marched to Sector 40 raising slogans against the RSS, ‘‘which was targeting the minorities and trying to change the status of the Sikhs’’. ‘‘The attempts to do so highlight the fact that the tussle between a centric monolithic society and a plural multi-cultural plural society will continue.’’

Meanwhile, the RSS chief was honoured with a siropa by the local chapter of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, which was objected to by the agitators. Although prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC had been promulgated by the District Magistrate yesterday, seven protesters scaled the barricades and offered themselves for court arrest. Earlier the gathering raised slogans from 200 m from the venue.

In a statement, the protesting organisations and many individuals, highlighted the role of the ‘‘communal outfit’’ and ‘‘others of its ilk’’ like the VHP, Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Sikh Sangat. They said the Sikhs cannot forget the role of the RSS in the early 60s in Punjab when the erstwhile Jan Sangh had exhorted the Sikhs to denounce their religion or the 80s when Gurpurb processions were stoned by the RSS.

‘‘Similarly, no Sikh can forget the lumpen elements responsible for the genocide of Sikhs in Delhi in 1984. Besides, the atrocities against the Muslims and the Christians is a potentially dangerous game being played by the RSS with full state patronage.’’

It was stressed that the Sikh are a separate nation and any effort to change this status in word or deed will be contested and resisted. Demanding a ban on the organisation, they said the present peace in the state hangs on a precipice as no attempt has been made to solve any language, border, water or political issues pending for the past many years.

They stressed that the present two-day deliberations were aimed at finalising new policies.

Sikhs a panth of Hindus, says RSS chief
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The Dasam Granth, penned by the tenth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, states that Sikhs are a panth of the Hindus and not a separate religion. There are many persons who dispute this claim and claim that it is only a historical poem and nothing else. Some even go to the extent of saying that it is not a work by the guru.

These were some of the observations made by Mr K C Sudershan, sarsangchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), here today. He was addressing a public gathering at an impressive function held at the DAV Senior Secondary School in Sector 8 this evening.

Quoting profusely from Sikh scriptures, he said while there were many Panth, the dharam was one. In case of the Granth, let the detractors know that the path of the holy text was done regularly at the Takhts at Huzoor Sahib and Patna. In fact, 2.5 lakh Sikhs had laid down their lives to stand up to tyranny and atrocities by successive regimes from the Mughals onwards. Any person who contested this, was going against the directions of the gurus, he declared.

Referring to disbelievers, he said their only aim was to create dissension among the two communities and to disturb peace in the state. The RSS stands for the greater brotherhood and for the glory of the nations as a whole and it was the duty of all people to take part in nation-building, he stressed.

Commenting on the rise of the RSS since its inception 75 years ago, he said the organisation had come a long way despite the adverse propaganda that had been doing the rounds since day one. The tag that they were anti-minorities was fast fading and the day was not far when the golden dream of a Hindu rastra would be realised.

The organisation had 30, 000 branches in various parts of the country, besides 35 abroad. Lakhs of people were devoting their time and how was it possible that so many people would work for the harm of others or of the country, he questioned.

Deriding politicians, he said they were responsible for the sense of disgust and insecurity in the people. What ideals were they projecting when they openly abused each other in Parliament and state assemblies, he asked. It seemed that everybody was out for himself and no one really cared where the nation and its people were going. He said the RSS stood for sarbat da bhala and wanted that everybody should think in those terms.

He also expressed his concern at the western influences in the country and the ever-increasing clout of the IMF, World Bank and other agencies. Similarly, there was need for rethinking on the WTO, which was an attempt to loot the diversity of the developing nations, he added.

Illegal constructions main concern
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Faced with unabated unauthorised construction activity in the villages being acquired under the Anandgarh project, the Punjab Government is seriously considering to give power under the Periphery Act to the Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) of the Anandpur Sahib Urban Development Authority (ASUDA).

If notified, the ASUDA officials will have powers to take action against the persons who raised constructions in any of the 29 villages notified under the Land Acquisition Act for the proposed Anandgarh city. Presently any construction raised in the 16 km periphery of Chandigarh in violation of the Punjab New Capital ( Periphery) Control Act, 1952, is dealt by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA).

Sources in the Punjab Government said the main concern of the authorities concerned was unauthorised construction activity going on in Kansal and other villages in the vicinity of Chandigarh even after notification of the villages under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act by the state government. Karoran and Nadha villages, which are also witnessing construction activity, are to be included in the second phase of notification for the Anandgarh project.

In Kansal village alone, over 500 unauthorised structures had come up in violation of the Periphery Act. It could, however, not be confirmed what would be the status of constructions raised after the December 1998 deadline set by the Punjab Government. Interestingly, a society of legislators of the ruling party had purchased a big chunk of land in Kansal village.

Unauthorised constructions in Mullanpur and some other villages were also a cause of concern for the authorities.

Sources said that there was a proposal to give powers under the Periphery Act to the LAO of the ASUDA so that it could coordinate with PUDA to check mushrooming of unauthorised tenements. As compared to PUDA, the ASUDA presently does not have the manpower and resources to check the violations.

The Principal Secretary, Housing, Mr A.K.Dubey, said a proposal in this regard had been submitted by the Chief Administrator of ASUDA, Ms Vinni Mahajan. It was being legally examined before any decision was taken. He said the Additional Chief Administrator (ACA), PUDA, SAS Nagar and General Manager (Regulatory), PUDA, had also been asked to check the unauthorised construction activity.

Sector 43 bus stand becomes operational
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Sector 43 will be come up as a third city sub centre, after city centre Sector 17 and sub city centre, Sector 34. The sector will be developed as a multi-storeyed commercial area, the Administrator of Chandigarh, Lieut -Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd) said while inaugurating the second Inter State Bus Terminus, in the Sector here this morning.

To cater to the present volume of traffic in the city, a detailed transport study has been conducted by a transportation consultant. To address the problem of pollution and traffic congestion, alternative (environment friendly) modes of public transport are being explored for implementation in the city, the General said while addressing a public meeting immediately after flagging off a CTU bus to make the new bus stand functional.

The Administrator said that with the expansion of the city, the present location of Sector 17 Bus Stand is no longer in the centre of the city and it is, therefore, inconvenient to the population residing in the southern sectors. Besides, the setting up of the second bus stand would go a long way in lessening the pressure on the Sector 17 Bus Stand.

He disclosed that the ISBT-II has been planned in an area of 20.66 acres. When ready, it shall have 18 unloading platforms and 45 platforms for outgoing buses. The building shall have a covered area of 1.86 lakh sq.ft. A parking area of 59,000 sq ft and landscaping area of 1.12 lakh sq ft. He told that the planning of the bus stand is such that the buses shall be parked parallel to the building so that both the doors of bus are used by the passengers. There is complete segregation between passenger traffic and movement of buses. The ISBT has also been provided with an independent water supply system .

The first phase of this ISBT has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. Ms Vineeta Rai, Adviser to the Administrator, disclosed that more than 200 routes of CTU buses will flow from this ISBT to the main ISBT in Sector 17 and other places. Three roundabouts and one road crossing will be replaced with traffic lights and some busy road sections widened. The three roundabouts that will be done away with are those at the Piccadily chowk (at the intersection of Sectors 21, 22, 34 and 35), the labour chowk (at the intersections of Sectors 20, 21, 33 and 34) and the bus stand chowk (at the intersection of Sectors 17, 18, 21 and 22).

Traffic lights will be installed at the crossing leading to the cricket stadium of the neighbouring S.A.S. Nagar. This is the intersection at Sectors 45, 46, 49 and 50, said Ms Vineeta Rai after the inauguration of the new bus stand.

The road stretches to be widened are the ones dividing Sectors 33 and 45, Sectors 36 and 42 and the one dividing Sectors 22 and 23.

200 routes to touch Sector 43 ISBT
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The new ISBT in Sector 43 will be well connected with Sector 17 and the PGI — the two main terminating points for local buses in the city. Buses will be departing from here after an average of about 10 minutes. In total, about 200 routes will touch the ISBT.

To start with, nine routes in one direction will touch the new ISBT. The first bus will depart from here for the main ISBT in Sector 17 at 6:20 a.m. and the last bus will leave from here at 8:40 p.m.

According to a press note of the Chandigarh Administration, the schedule of the departure of buses from ISBT Sector 43 towards ISBT Sector 17 or the PGI are as follows: Route number 123 (S.A.S Nagar, Phase IX, to Bus Stand, Sector 17) 7:40 a.m, 8:05, 9:10, 9:40, 10:10, 10:40, 11:40, 12:10 p.m., 12:40, 1:10, 1:40, 2:40, 3:10, 3:40, 4:10, 4:40, 5:10, 6:10, 6:40, 7:10, 7:40, 8:10.

Route number 20, 20-A (Kharar to ISBT, Sector 17) 6:55 a.m., 7:25, 8:25, 8:55, 9:25, 9:55, 10:25, 10:55, 11:25, 11:50, 12:25 p.m., 12:55, 1:25, 1:55, 2:55, 3:25, 4:25, 4:55, 5:25, 5:55, 6:25, 6:55, 7:25, 7:55, 8:20.

Route number 20-B (Landran to PGI) 10:35 a.m., 12:35 p.m., 4:35 and 6:35.

Route number 36 and 36-A (From Sector 71, S.A.S. Nagar, to ISBT, Sector 17) 6:20 a.m., 7:05, 7:20, 8:00, 8:20, 9:05, 9:20, 10:05, 10:20, 11:05, 11:20, 12:05 p.m., 12:30, 1:05, 1:20, 2:05, 3:05, 3:20, 4:05, 4:20, 5:05, 5:20, 6:05, 6:20, 7:05, 7:20, 8:20.

Route number 101 (towards ISBT Sector 17) 8:10 a.m., 10:10, 12:10 p.m., 4:55, 6:50.

Route number 82 (Maloya to PGI) 9:40 a.m., 11:40, 1:40 p.m. and 3:40.

Route number 132 (Ram Darbar to ISBT Sector 17) 8: 50 a.m., 9:50, 10:50, 11:55, 12:50 p.m., 1:50, 2:50, 3:50, 4:50.

All these routes in their reverse directions will also touch the new ISBT. Besides these route number 30-B, 10 and 125 will also touch once daily at 8:35 a.m., 3:55 p.m. and 5: 40, respectively.

Work on dedicated power supply for rail line begins
From Bipin Bhardwaj
Tribune News Service

DERA BASSI, April 29 — To provide dedicated power supply to feed the Ambala-Chandigarh-Kalka railway line, the Railways has started work to set up a 25 KV traction substation (TSS) at Mubarikpur village, 2 km from here.

This substation will supply single phase alternating current (AC) to the Railways overhead equipment (OHE), which will come up at a cost of nearly Rs 5 crore and the work is being carried out by the electrification wing of the Railways.

A Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) power house, situated at Saidpura village on the Dera Bassi-Barwala road, will feed the substation with 220 KV which would be ‘‘stepped-down’’ by the transformer to 25 KV. This TSS can take a continuous load of 800 amperes.

According to departmental sources, the spacing between two TSSs should be between 50 - 60 km and the electrified line should not have current less than 19 KV. As less power hinders the normal functioning of the train and affects its engine.

Due to natural upward gradient on the Ambala-Chandigarh-Kalka rail section, the voltage consumption is more which further results in overheating of the engine. This also consumes more power. Presently, the Ambala-Kalka railway line has a electric charge of about 19.5 KV which is just 0.5 KV more than the least minimum required current for a normal electrified line.

At present only Shatabdi Express, that arrives in Chandigarh in the morning and departs in the afternoon, is hauled by electric locomotives. Keeping in view the advancement and other factors, more trains will be electrified in future. For the purpose the TSS has been set up here.

The feeding zone of the new sub-station at Mubarikpur will be the rail section between Dhulkot to Kalka. Moreover, in case of power failure or break down of Shahbad Markanda TSS, this substation will act as back up in the Ambala area.

Presently the stretch from Ambala to Kalka is being fed by the Shahbad Markanda power station, about 20 km from Ambala.

Railway personnel at the work site claim that over 55 per cent of the work has been done and the completion of the project is expected by June end. Over Rs 2 crore has already been paid to the PSEB for power connection.

In the past one year, the Railways has electrified the Ambala-Ludhiana, Ambala-Saharanpur, Ambala-Chandigarh-Kalka and Sirhind-Ropar railway lines, thus putting more load for requirement of electricity. The work to electrify the Ropar-Nangal Dam section is also in progress. Apart from this the Railway Department has already started setting up two traction sub-stations — one at Kurali and the second at Anandpur Sahib — on the Sirhind-Ropar-Nangal Dam railway line.

Administration, MC cross swords over liquor vends issue
By Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC) are on a collision course again. This time over the issue of erection of temporary sheds and vends for the sale of liquor on the corporation land.

It may be recalled that the MCC, after a lengthy discussion on the issue in January, had passed a resolution regarding the non-erection of the liquor vends on the corporation land. “Considered and resolved that the MCC shall not grant permission for the erection of temporary sheds/vends for the sale of liquor on corporation land w.e.f. next financial year from 1.4.2000...’ the resolution had said.

But the administration, which finalised the excise policy for the year 2000-2001 in March, differed with the MCC viewpoint. Without caring for the MCC resolution, it enhanced the rent for liquor sheds from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month at the vends at the prime locations and Rs 10,000 for other vends, and reasoned that it would not be practicable to open the liquor vends as per the new excise policy.

The resolution, being not in consonance with the excise policy, would lead to a lot of embarrassment to the administration, the Finance Secretary-Cum-Secretary , Local Government, Chandigarh Administration, said in show-cause notice to the civic body, the language of which was condemned by a number of councillors at a meeting of the MCC on April 19.

“By passing the resolution, the MCC has exceeded the powers conferred on it under the provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act,1976, as extended to the Union Territory, Chandigarh, by the Punjab Municipal Corporation Law (Extension to Chandigarh), Act,1994,” the letter added.

The Finance Secretary had added that UT Administrator, exercising the powers under the Act suspended the execution of the resolution and gave an opportunity to the MCC of showing cause why the action proposed should not be taken.

According to sources, the civic body was yet to file reply to the administration on the issue. The issue is likely to come up for discussion at the meeting of the corporation slated for May 1 and the officers may be in the dock for the delay in filing the reply.

It may be mentioned here that this is not for the first time that such a situation had arisen. In fact, in case of such conflicts, the administration seems to be having the last laugh as it had got over-riding power to rescind or suspend the such resolutions under the Act.

COMMUNITY

Effluents destroy Ghaggar project
By Rajendra Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The discharge of toxic industrial effluents in the Ghaggar appears to have led to the abandonment of the much-publicised Ghaggar Dam Project aimed at solving drinking-water problems faced by Panchkula, Chandigarh and SAS Nagar.

Emanating from the forests of the Kaushalya, the Ghaggar flows along Parwanoo, Kalka, Pinjore, Bankarpur, Dera Bassi and Lalru before entering the other areas of Punjab and Haryana.

Senior scientists of the Haryana Pollution Control Board who were asked to conduct an in-depth study of the area, said domestic and industrial effluents discharged in the Ghaggar from all these towns and villages had made its water unfit for human and animal consumption. The polluted water of the Ghaggar had led to the death of several cattle heads.

They added that the industrial effluents discharged from the Parwanoo industrial area entered the Ghaggar via Sukhna Nadi and the Kaushalya. Since Bankarpur and Dera Bassi are situated on its banks, effluents from the industrial areas at these places are discharged in it through gravitation. Kalka and Pinjore added domestic effluents to the Ghaggar. All these towns did not have sewage treatment plants.

The scientists said since polluting effluents were discharged in the Ghaggar by industries in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the Central Pollution Control Board had been asked to intervene in the matter. The board had held several joint meetings with officials of the Haryana and Punjab Pollution Control Boards and samples of the polluted water had been taken.

Based on the result of the study of these samples, the Central Pollution Control Board had issued directions for the closure of several industrial units. Although these were statutory directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, these were not followed and the units continued to function.

Another purpose for constructing this dam was to moderate the floods in the Ghaggar basin. Floods in the rains played havoc with crops in the Patiala, Sangrur and Mansa districts of Punjab and the Sirsa district of Haryana. One of the factors for suicides by Punjab farmers was the losses they had suffered year after year. Since their kharif crop was destroyed, they were left with only one crop every year.

Other factors which prompted the Haryana Government to scrap this project were that the construction of the dam was likely to submerge 4,161 acres, besides dislocating 13 villages and colonies with a population of about 50,000. The proposed canal for carrying water to Chandigarh was to pass through Chandi Mandir Cantonment. This required the prior approval of the Defence Ministry. It was also likely to dislocate considerable length of the Kalka-Shimla national highway and the railway line which needed prior approval of the Union Surface Transport and Railway Ministries.

Another reason which deterred the government from completing this project was its high cost. Conceived in 1950, the project was initially estimated to cost Rs 25.9 crore. If the dam was constructed now, it would cost about Rs 500 crore. Since no formula had been worked out for sharing the cost and benefits among three participating governments, the Haryana Government gave it a silent burial.

The shelving of this project has, however, become a cause of worry for the Chandigarh Administration. With the population of the Union Territory shooting up by 50,000 every year and an unbridled influx of labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, there will be a scarcity of drinking water in the years to come.

The Administration is now depending on the Ganguwal Project for augmenting the drinking-water supply. Ganguwal is situated about 17 km downstream of the Nagal-Ropar Road and is about 70 km from Chandigarh. The tentative cost worked out by the Administration for bringing 60 mgd of water through conduit pipe will be about Rs 225 crore.

The Municipal Corporation, which has prepared the proposal, has referred the matter to the Punjab Engineering College for computer simulation and checking the viability of the project. The interim report submitted by the college says that it is feasible to bring water to Chandigarh through gravitation. However, a computer simulation of the plan is yet to be done.

Beggar in agony awaits help
By Poonam Batth
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — A beggar's agony might have ended when some unknown person brought him to the PGI here this afternoon. But his actual struggle between life and death begins now. His leg, that has deep wounds, may have to be amputated and the post-operative drugs will cost a fair sum.

Though the PGI has a system of treating poor patients free, this may not be enough as he requires an equal amount of care and compassion along with the treatment. The PGI has no special funds to provide for such needy patients.

The beggar, Neiki Ram, lies in the corridor of the Emergency OPD on a stretcher, with deep exposed wounds underneath his left leg and a half maggot eaten foot. Beneath a torn blanket, one can see the bones through the wound and the foul smell has made it difficult for passers-by to pass that way. The good samaritan who brought him here neither informed anyone about his problem nor got a card made for him. Attired in a torn shirt and blanket covering his thin frail legs, he lay unattended for nearly six hours.

The initial help came from a ward servant, Balwan Singh, who cleaned him up a bit, much to the relief of the attendants of other patients in the corridor. When this correspondent saw him in pain and informed the doctors, they examined him and found that he was suffering from osteomyelitus — infection of the bones — which had aggravated over a period of time due to sheer neglect.

"His left leg and foot may have to be amputated and for that he may require antibiotics, which may cost several thousands," said one of the doctors on duty in the surgical emergency OPD. The expenditure of the medicines may be as high as Rs 1,000 per day. He further said some treatment and medicines would be given by them for immediate relief.

But the problem before us is that from where is he going to get the money for his further treatment, where is he to be shifted once his treatment starts and who will look after him. This is true of many such patients who come to the PGI every now and then.

Another doctor on duty said, "The rush of patients in both medical and surgical emergency OPDs is so much that he cannot even keep lying in the corridor for long. If we shift him to some ward, who will take care of him?" Doctors said patients had to be brought by attendants to the emergency concerned for examination. "In this rush, how do you expect us to go up to a patient and enquire about his problem," he asked.

The SMO on night duty revealed that the beggar was a chronic patient, who had been suffering from this problem for long. "We give preference to serious patients. He could have waited for another twelve hours to come to the OPD in the morning." However, had he been brought earlier, we might have been able to save his leg, he added.

Hailing from Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, Neiki Ram has no friends and family to support him in this hour of need. He has been earning his living by begging in the city for the last 15 to 20 years. For the last few months after the infection of his wound aggravated, he has been at the mercy of the people."I can barely move now," he says. His eyes have no hope as he says, "I could not get myself treated earlier for I did not have the money to go to a doctor. Even now I do not know what future has in store for me."

People with compassion and voluntary organisations which wish to help this poor man in need, can contact the office of the Medical Superintendent, PGI, or the Police Post. They are his only hope.

CRIME

Scooterist succumbs to injuries
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — Scooterist Hakam Singh, a resident of Sector 15, was hit and injured by an unknown vehicle near the General Hospital. He was rushed to the PGI where he succumbed to his injuries.

A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC has been registered.

Pedestrian Shiv Singh, a resident of Sector 15, was hit by a scooter, PB 04 F 1543, in the same sector. The scooterist fled from the spot. While he was admitted to the hospital, a case under Sections 279 and 337, IPC has been registered.

3 held with whisky: The police has arrested three city residents and recovered 28 bottles of whisky from their possession.

While Ram Suhag and Narinder Singh have been arrested from near Sector 24, Hem Raj was arrested from near the Sectors 52-63 crossing.

Cases under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act have been registered against them.

Bag stolen: Mr Goncharov Sergei, at present staying at 3BRD has reported that his bag containing his passport, security pass, 1150 American dollars besides Rs 1700 in cash has been stolen from the grain market.

A case under Section 379, IPC has been registered.

BUSINESS

Bankers get special training
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — A six-day Management Development and Special Training programme for 24 senior functionaries of the Bank of India concluded at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, here, today.

The curriculum for this programme, evolved over the years through ongoing consultations with the bank’s top management, noted economists, public service officials and management experts, concentrated on developing a new mindset, enriching professionalism and competitive capabilities of managers to optimise operational efficiency, profitability and customer service. The programme laid special emphasis on transformational strategies, leadership qualities and value based management.

Eminent experts from banking, public services, academics and business management sectors who shared their deep insights and personal experiences included Mr M.S. Verma, Mr S. Gopalakrishanan, Mr G.K. Arora, Mr S. Rahman, Prof B.B. Bhattacharya, Dr L. Mishra, Mr K.R. Lakhanpal, Mr R.V. Gupta, Mr Rashpal Malhotra, Dr G. Kathuria, Dr S. Chandra and Dr A. Khandelwal.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance and Planning Minister of Punjab, in his valedictory address, advised the participants to sincerely work for socio-economic development of the country and provide high-class customer service. He also awarded certificates to the participants.

Rotary chiefs trained for action
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 29 — The experience must sure have been rare for all presidents-elect and secretaries-elect of the Rotary Club, for year 2000-2001, who had gathered in the hall of the Chandigarh College of Architecture to listen to what their predecessors had to say about the rich social heritage of Rotary.

The function, PETS (presidents-elect training seminar) and SETS (secretaries-elect training seminar) might be an annual feature, but the purpose it solves is tremendous when seen in the context of help it offers. A thousand delegates attended the inaugural sessions, which were addressed by the Rotary International past president Mr Raja Saboo, current District Governor Mr Arun Sharma, Chandigarh Mid Town president Mr M.S. Kahlon and the incoming president Mr Ranjit Bhatia.

Informed Mr Indrajeet Sen Gupta, member, Chandigarh Mid Town Club which is hosting the event this time, “The objective of such an elaborate training programme is to help the presidents and secretaries-elect to become action-oriented. Here at the Rotary, we have no dearth of plans for social and economic uplift. What is more important is a practical approach. We have to get results for our clubs because our success lies in our achievements.”

The session had deliberations and training programmes on a wide variety of topics, including club management, communication skills and managerial skills.

Informed Mr M.S. Kahlon, “The focus is more on motivational talks to help the elected people discharge tasks they are supposed to. The speakers are trying to inspire the gathering in this regard. They must all first feel proud of the responsibility they are going to be entrusted with. Only then will they be able to work with utmost dedication.”

The training begins at the grassroots level where the elected people are taught how to handle even the very minor affairs. Said Mr Sen Gupta, “They are trained to handle the Governor’s official visits which are a very important feature. It serves as a mirror of a local club’s activity in Rotary International.”

The programme, which started here with invocation by Ms Malabika Sen Gupta, ended here today around 8 p.m. and comprised four sessions. The programme will continue tomorrow also.

GSE team leaves for USA, Canada

Immediate past president, Rotary Club, Chandigarh, Mrs Kanwal Bedi, today wished a bon voyage to the team comprising four members who are leaving for the USA and Canada on a five-week goodwill exchange programme today. The members include past president, Rotary Club, Mr Madhukar Malhotra, Ms Meghna Sahi, Ms Lom Harshni Chauhan, Mr Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Rahul Anand, IAS. They will represent district 3080 in district 7090 abroad.