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| Tuesday, August 22, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Statue desecration generates heat Slogan-shouting by Congressmen in Assembly SHIMLA, Aug 21 — Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly today when slogan shouting opposition Congress members walked into the well of the House in protest against certain remarks of a ruling BJP member. 2 lakh Red Cross
relief for flood-hit A place of pristine beauty “Make kids aware of environment” Mahendra Chaudhary in Shimla |
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Khachi apologises to Vidya Sagar Increase daily wages: INTUC
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Statue desecration generates heat SHIMLA, Aug 21 — Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly today when slogan shouting opposition Congress members walked into the well of the House in protest against certain remarks of a ruling BJP member. The protest of the Congress came during the course of discussion on a resolution which was moved by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, to condemn the recent incident of desecration of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Hamirpur. The Congress members got annoyed when Mr Jai Kishen Sharma (BJP) made certain remarks to which the latter objected. The Speaker, Thakur Gulab Singh, expunged the objectionable remarks made by both sides. Many Congress members alleged that efforts were being made to defame their party by trying to involve a leader in the incident. In his reply, Mr Dhumal announced that the government would suitably reward the person providing any worthwhile clue to the incident. He denied that attempt was being made to politicise the incident. About 80 persons had been questioned by the police so far. The Chief Minister urged the Congress members to allow a free and fair investigation into the incident and not to create hurdles by continuing the dharna at the site of the incident. He said some pieces of marble were recovered by the police from the vehicle of Mr Prem Kaushal, a local Congress leader. Mr Dhumal said certain Congress leaders tried to create hurdles in the investigations. He traced 17 telephone calls which were made by Mr Kaushal to Shimla, Delhi and Pathankot after the incident came to light. Mr Virbhadra Singh (Cong) took exception to the BJP leader, Mr Babu Ram Mandayal, having earlier made a statement, blaming the Congress for the incident. He alleged that a
conspiracy was being hatched to involve Mr Kaushal in the incident and give a political twist to it. He said nothing should be done to falsely implicate an innocent person by fabricating charges against him. Mr J.B.L. Khachi (Cong) described the incident as a national shame and demanded a free and fair inquiry into the episode which, he said, had hung the heads of the Himachalis in shame. Mr Kaul Singh and Mr Ram Lal Thakur (Cong) also criticised the government for allegedly trying to give a political colour to the incident. Mrs Urmil Thakur (BJP) accused the Congress of trying to politicise the issue by organising dharnas and rallies at Hamirpur. Mr Ishwar Dass Dhiman (Education Minister) alleged that the Congress was trying to influence the investigations by having gheraoed the police station. Mr Babu Ram Mandayal (BJP) also urged the Congress to allow the police to hold uninterrupted investigations into the incident. |
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2 lakh Red
Cross relief for flood-hit SHIMLA, Aug 21 — Mrs Sheela Dhumal, Chairperson, state Red Cross, Hospital Welfare Branch, said here today that the Red Cross would provide essential commodities worth Rs 2 lakh to people affected by the flash floods in the state within a week. Presiding over the meeting of the branch here today, she said under a family package, rice, atta, sugar, dal and one pressure cooker would be provided to each affected family. She said the affected families would be identified and proper distribution would be ensured. Mrs Dhumal said the Red Cross had already sent relief material worth Rs 4 lakh to the flood-affected areas which included 1,000 blankets, cloths worth Rs 4,000, two tonnes of rice, 30 stoves, utensils and essential commodities for distribution among the affected families. She urged the non-government organisations to contribute their best to serve the humanity. It was informed at the meeting that the Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, had given Rs 1 lakh from his discretionary fund to the Red Cross Society for providing assistance to the flash flood victims. The National Red Cross Society had given Rs 2 lakh and the Haryana Red Cross Society had provided Rs 25,000 for the same cause. |
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A place
of pristine beauty SARAHAN: Nestling in the lap of the Himalayas, Sarahan simply takes your breath away. Situated at a height of 7,500 ft, 180 km from Shimla near the Nathpa-Jhakri hydroelectric project, the erstwhile summer capital of the princely state of Bushahar is a place endowed with natural beauty. As you step into Sarahan you are overwhelmed by the sight of snow-capped mountains, even in the summer. It is the ideal place for those wanting to escape from the oppressive heat of the plains and the noise of cities. It is said that once upon a time Banasur ruled this area of Kinnaur. He was so powerful that even the Pandavas had to change their route from here on the way to Badrinath. Nobody could defeat him. It was Maa Bhimakali who killed him in a fierce battle. The fascinating Maa Bhimakali Temple, was built about 3,000 years ago. It is the main centre of attraction for tourists. Artefacts associated with the heritage of the place have been carefully preserved in the temple . There is also an ancient temple of Guru Lankara Vir on the Maa Bhimakali Temple premises. There is underground passage near Guru Lankara Vir Temple which has been closed now. The passage was built for the safety of the priest of the temple who used to come daily for worship from a nearby village. At that time there were evil forces at Shallabag, near Sarahan, which were opposed to worship at the temple and used to shoot arrows at the priest. Sarahan has lovely walks and trails that meander through dense deodhar and oak forests. Hawa Ghar, 1 km from here, has meadows, exotic flowers and deodhars . It was once a neglected place, but it is gradually turning into a big tourist draw. Shanti Kunj, a heritage palace of Raja Padam Singh, lies amidst apple orchards . It was used as a summer retreat by the royal family. The raja was a popular ruler at that time. The primeval Devi Sharyeekoti Durga Temple, situated at the height of 11,000 ft, 40 km from Sarahan, is the main place of pilgrimage in this area. Srikhand (18,000 ft) is still a challenge for mountaineers. Atop Srikhand there is a Shivalinga which can be seen from Sarahan. |
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“Make kids
aware of environment” SHIMLA, Aug 21 — Mr Roop Singh Thakur, Forest Minister, has underlined the need for creating awareness about environment among children. Addressing participants of the debate, painting and slogan writing competitions on “Environment and population”, organised by the Rotaract and Innerwheel of the Rotary Club, here yesterday, he said such competitions would go a long way in educating younger generations. Nineteen local schools participated in the competitions. Neha Kapoor of Sacred Heart School, Tara Hall, got the first position in the declamation contest. She was followed by Deepali of Laureate Public School and Rohini Vij of Auckland School. In the painting competition, Dinesh Kumar of Kendriya Vidyalaya got the first position and Raveesh and Raveesh Malhotra won the second and third positions, respectively. Himani of Shimla Public School secured the first place in the slogan writing competition. She was followed by Abhimanyu of St Edward School and Sagarika of Kendriya Vidyalaya. |
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Mahendra Chaudhary
in Shimla SHIMLA, Aug 21 — Mr Mahendra Chaudhary, the deposed Fiji Prime Minister, arrived here on a two-day visit to the state this evening. He was accompanied by his wife Mrs Virmati Chaudhary, Mr Satyendra Prasad, political advisor and Mr Dalpat Rathod, a member of the upper house of Fiji.
Soon after his arrival Mr Chaudhary went for a walk to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. There are no public engagements. Mr Chaudhary will be visiting the tourist resort of Chail tomorrow. He will have dinner with the Governor, Mr Vishnu Kant Shastri, at the Raj Bhaven. He will leave for Chandigarh on August 23. |
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Khachi apologises
to Vidya Sagar SHIMLA, Aug 21 — A veteran parliamentarian and a sitting Congress MLA, Mr J.B.L. Khachi, today created a history in the Vidhan Sabha by apologising for having made certain remarks against the Agriculture Minister, Mr Vidya Sagar.
Mr Khachi said he did not stand on prestige and had decided to tender apology for having made the remarks while discussing a Bill to rename the Agriculture University at Palampur. He said the remarks were a parliamentary mistake on his behalf as it was the sole prerogative of the Chief Minister to chose his ministry. |
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Increase daily
wages: INTUC SHIMLA, Aug 21 — The state unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has urged the government to increase the minimum daily wages to Rs 100.
The working committee of the congress which met here yesterday under the chairpersonship of Mrs Kanta Sood, president, pointed out that the daily wages of Rs 51 was too meagre in view of the sharp increase in prices and had not been revised for the past more than two years. It also demanded the grant of house rent and other allowances to employees of the Punjab pattern. It decided to hold a state-level convention at Nalagrah on November 18 and 19 in which elections would be held. |
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