The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Tricksters can snatch your cash in a jiffy
By Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — A middle-aged man was about to sit in his car when a beggar girl tapped at his arm while crying. The man looked up to the girl, who pointed towards another object. Taken in by her innocence, he looked towards the direction in which she was pointing. Within seconds a boy, aged no more than 10, snatched a bag containing Rs 70,000 from his other hand and ran away.

The man ran after the boy and caught him after a chase. The bag was, however, empty. The boy had slipped the money out of the bag at some spot while running and the same had been picked up by another gang member. The police arrested the boy but could make no recovery as the boy refused to speak. Even his address could not be ascertained. He was sent to a juvenile home, from where a woman posing as his grandmother got him bail. The police was helpless.

Gangs of slick youth are keeping a watch outside banks waiting with a keen eye for people who withdraw big sums of cash. There are also those who pose as beggars but are part of the gangs. In both cases, the aim is to loot or snatch. Your cash and valuables are unsafe if left unattended to in vehicles even for a few seconds, advise cops, after reports of a number of such incidents.

Police officials say the modus operandi of such gangs is to distract the person while the other snatches the bag or cash and runs away. Everything happens within seconds, leaving the victim helpless. In case of people withdrawing cash from banks, the modus operandi of the thieves is to follow the person who invariably keeps the cash in the glove compartment of the scooter or in the dashboard of the car. The moment a vehicle is parked even for a minute, the gang members take no more than 30 seconds to do away with flimsy locks of glove compartments of scooters. And in case the car lock does not open, the window pane is broken.

The latter method was adopted in some cases and even jewellery kept inside the car was reportedly stolen. The latest theft from the glove compartment of a scooter took place just three days ago. A city businessman, who went to a bank, was followed to a place in Sector 16 where he parked his scooter. Within seconds, the lock had been opened and the money was gone. He was poorer by Rs 75,000.

In another case in Sector 22, a businessman on a visit from Rajasthan was told by a little child that something dirty was on the back of his shirt. The man found it to be true. The child offered to help him wash the dirt. The unsuspecting man kept his bag on the bonnet of the car and got the dirt washed off. He turned around to find the bag missing.

Sources in the police say small incidents are regular occurrences but are not reported due to the less amount of money lost. The SSP, Mr Parag Jain , admitted that such incidents were rising but added that since migration was unchecked, verification of antecedents of all such people was impossible. Even if the Chandigarh Police sends verification forms, there is no reply from UP or Bihar, he added. The SSP said the residents need to be alert while carrying cash.

Meanwhile, police sources say that a person, who was nabbed by the police, told cops that he and several other like him come from Muzzafarnagar or other parts of western Uttar Pradesh. They come in a train and also book a scooter or a two-wheeler in the brake van of the car. The two-wheeler is then used to commit crime and then it is taken back. And the gangs “take offence” when referred to as chors and assert that they are diggy baaz ( probably derived from the word dicky of a scooter) and not chors, inform cops.

To trace such vehicles is impossible as they have UP registration numbers. Most such people come here and mingle freely in the slum colonies and nothing can be found out. The road dividing Sectors 21 and 34 is another place for such floating population. Police officials say that at several meetings this has been pointed out to the authorities concerned but no action has been initiated.

Tiny-tots celebrate Dasehra
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Tiny-tots of different schools in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula celebrated Dasehra with enthusiasm today.

Kids of Shemrock schools danced to the tunes of Hindi, Punjabi and English songs. Holding Ravana shaped cards in their little hands they danced to the lyrics of Kaho Na Pyar Hai:

Later the effigy of Ravana was burnt and sweets were distributed among children.

Students of Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula, organised a cultural function. A skit based on Sita Swayamber, Sita Haran and Ravana Vadh was the main attraction of the function.

Mr Prag Jain, SSP, Chandigarh, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes to winners of different competitions.

Kids and teachers of Blue Bird Model School, Sector 16, Chandigarh, celebrated the festival with a difference by enchanting the story of Rama. The children were dressed up as Rama, Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana.

The Principal distributed sweets among students and the effigy of Ravana was burnt.

Meanwhile, Dasehra will be celebrated at 26 places in Chandigarh tomorrow. The Chandigarh Administration has allowed the Dasehra celebrations in ground near Sabzi Mandi, Sector 40, Dasehra ground, near Mani Majra, Baba Balak Nath Mandir, Phase II, Ram Darbar, Parade Ground, Ramlila Ground, behind police post in Maloya, near Nangla Basti in Mani Majra, ground opposite mini market in Sector 37, Daddu Majra, open ground near masjid in Phase II, Nehru Colony in Kajheri, Math Mandir ground in Sector 20, Dhanas village and Dasehra ground in Sector 27.

Other places include OCF Colony in Sector 29, ground in front of petrol pump in Sector 7, ground near Arya Samaj Mandir in Sector 7, market ground in Sector 32, ground near House Number 2276, Nehru Park in Sector 22, Chaudhary Gopal Singh Stadium, Burail, ground near police post in Bapu Dham colony, Sports Complex in Maloya, Punjab University campus, ground near electricity office in Sector 20, ground adjacent Government College, Sector 46, and ground of apni mandi in Sector 32. This is for the first time that the Administration has given permission at two places in Sector 32.

To avoid any untoward incident on the occasion, the Fire Department has assigned two fire- engines at Parade Grounds in Sector 17 and Dasehra grounds in Sector 23.

“At present there are five fire stations and 14 fire-engines in Chandigarh. We are equipped with all precautionary measures”, said Mr G.S Bajwa, Chief Fire Officer.

Offices wear deserted look
By Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6— Festival spirit prevailed in many government offices in the city on the eve of Dashera here today. The festive mood was visible as officers as well as other employees in some offices were either on leave or were not there . Visits and telephone calls to some offices proved to be an exercise in futility as the only response was to come or call up next week.

A number of offices visited by this correspondent today wore a deserted look. Tyohaar hai jee, was a curt reply when this correspondent asked one of the present employees about the mass absence. The attendance rate was very low. The employees were either out of station to be with their family and others had taken leave to prepare for the festival celebrations.

In the absence of the officers many employees had a field day today. The lunch break started at 12.30p.m. and ended at 2.30 p.m. and even later in some of the offices. At one of the offices in Karuna Sadan in Sector 9 visited by this correspondent, all chairs and cabins were vacant and the only two employees present in the office were having a nap. They were woken up to their surprise by this correspondent.

"Being a season of festivals one after the other people are going on leave. The employees, especially of the central government offices, come from far off places as they are transferred here. They will obviously like to be with their family at least at this time. So many of them are availing their leaves now." said an employee of an office.

Meanwhile, those who had come from other stations to get their work done had to face a difficulty. "I am disgusted. I could have used my sense before leaving from Ludhiana in the morning realising that this may happen. This is not an unusual case during festival season. My case file was not available as the clerk concerned was on leave." said an old man who had come to get his work done from an office.

An employee was proceeding on a half-day leave. Pat came a justification when he was asked about it,"Afterall we also have a private life. Due to the pressure of work I have already delayed my programme. My children and wife are waiting at home. They want to go shopping and markets will be full in the evening. So I have to go home."

COMMUNITY

Sub-post office in state of neglect
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Oct 6 — The Gurukul sub-post office is functioning from a ramshackle building, with inadequate staff, along the Ambala-Kalka National Highway at Old Panchkula for the past many decades.

Constructed in 1932, cracks have appeared on walls and ceilings. Naked electricity wires and peeled off plaster on the walls and ceilings have become a cause of concern to the employees.

There is no cash box and the weighing machine is rusting in a corner of the room. In the absence of almirahs and rack, documents are placed on termite-eaten shelves.

The ceiling of the building starts dripping even in a light shower. Water enters the rooms which are towards the road, due to the absence of any proper drainage along the highway.

Refuse from heaps of garbage and burnt waste of a motor workshop adjacent to the post office accumulates on its courtyard. Serving to a newly created district, the sub-post office is being run with the help of four employees.

According to departmental employees, besides District and Sessions Courts, over 30 government offices have been shifted to this place, which have put extra work upon them. “A thin layer of carbon spreads over our faces and other exposed items. We have to use medicines regularly in precaution,” said an employee.

Authorities have not whitewashed the rooms and painted the doors and windows since long. Haphazard parking of vehicles before the main gate and the stinking drain adjacent to the post office further put the visitors to inconvenience.

The Shri Jainendra Gurukul Prabandh Committee said a number of representations to shift the office from the present building had been given to the departmental authorities at Amabla, but of no use. The authorities at Ambala were not available for comments. The department has purchased land adjacent to the Panchkula bus stand for a head post office, but no development work has been carried out till date.

Contraceptive trials: why the delay?
By Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Permission for using the rhesus monkey to experiment on a male contraceptive has been hanging fire for many months with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The contraceptive, being seen as a major breakthrough in male contraception in medical circles, involves the injection of an intravasal compound, RISUG, a preparation of styrene maleic anhydride dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide in the vas deferens of males. The compound polymerises forming a cork stop or a plug in the vas deferens, stopping sperms from passing in semen. The polymer can be dissolved by another chemical. The only apprehension researchers have is that it may cause permanent injury to the vas deferens, which is why quality research is required.

Initial experiments by Dr Sujoy K.Guha, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, have shown encouraging results with the injectable intravasal contraceptive. Doctors also say that experience with vasectomy,the surgical way to male contraception, has shown that although it is quite effective as a contraceptive measure, the method has certain limitations which call for the development of improved techniques. The use of condoms, though popular, has its own limitations.

The research project for this intravasal contraceptive aims at taking up trials on non-human primates to investigate the restoration of normal semen character and fertility in the case of the single- injection male contraceptive RISUG, developed and synthesised by the IIT and the AIIMS under projects sponsored by the ICMR,the Family Planning Foundation ,the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The contraceptive efficacy of the drug has been proven in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Currently, Phase III clinical trials are under way.

Seeing the results as most encouraging, the Ministry of Health and Family Planning had asked independent centres for an animal study for a duration of one year to be carried out by three premier institutions of the country. These were the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, and the PGI, Chandigarh.

The objectives include whether following the injection of RISUG and obtaining azoospermia the compound can be removed to restore the normal semen character and whether actual fertility following the reversal is attained. Besides, pregnancy in the female monkey will be the assessment criterion. It is also to be determined whether the progeny delivered by a female monkey in captivity could suffer from teratogenic effects.

As per the present laws regarding animal rights, the Ministry of Health had independently asked the Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment for using the rhesus monkey in the study. The three centres had also independently written to the ministry for the grant of permission.

The sources, however, reveal that the Social Welfare and Empowerment Ministry has raised objections to the proposal by the CDRI,Luknow, saying that it could result in unnecessary mental and physical trauma to the animals.

Researchers say that studies earlier carried out on human beings have shown some encouraging results. Studies conducted earlier on albino rats and later on rhesus monkeys and langoors , carried out independently at the AIIMS,the IIT and the CDRI, had established the safety of the approach. That is why the ICMR permitted Phase I clinical trials way back in 1989.

The study focused on safety and indirect evidence obtained from semenological studies. After a review of this data, the Drug Controller of India gave permission to carry out Phase II clinical trials on a multicentric basis. The subjects were treated at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital, Delhi.

The research paper on RISUG clearly states that the drug is non-seclorising,meaning the tubes of vas deferens do not fuse together as a side-effect and also do not adhere to the tissues. This means that at any later stage the drug can be removed from the vas deferens. Moreover, the sperm count and fertility can be restored. Studies by the CDRI, Lucknow, have also revealed that there are no teratogenic effects on the foetus in pregnancies following the removal of the drug.

Experts say that studies on RISUG have shown it to be a convenient , non-invasive technique with established reversibility adding that these have been undertaken for the general benefit of population control.Moreover,there is no reason why methodical studies,carried out by premier research centres, will in any way violate animal rights.

Nada Sahib clash: panel to submit report on Oct 12
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Oct 6 — While a rough draft of proposals has been prepared in connection with the clash at Nada Sahib Gurdwara, the two-member committee constituted for the purpose will give its verdict on October 12. The new date was decided at a meeting of the committee with the Deputy Commissioner, Mr SK Monga, this evening.

The committee comprising Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, Chairman of Confed, and general secretary of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), along with a member of the SGPC met the DC and informed him that a compromise between villagers of Nada and the management of Nada Sahib had been worked out after discussions with the two parties.

However, to give final shape to the recommendations, which they say is going to be a permanent solution to the problem, would take more time and demanded a week to submit the report. After discussions, Mr Monga suggested that the meeting be held again on October 12.

Meanwhile, following the meeting, villagers from Nada met Mr Monga and agreed to pick up the gutkas, kadas and pictures strewn by tomorrow morning. Also, they will offer ardas at the place of the clash outside the gurdwara.

Interestingly, the task force continues to remain at the gurdwara and police presence has been ensured. Mr Monga has appealed to the people to maintain peace and work towards solving the problem.

Earlier, a meeting of the two groups was called on October 3 following the clash where the committee had been constituted to make its recommendations.

Security beefed up for Dasehra
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — There will be metal detectors to frisk visitors, CID men and anti-sabotage checks as the city celebrates Dasehra at 26 places tomorrow. Dasehras celebrations have been divided into two categories for security purposes.

All the 22 border check-points in the Union Territory have been strengthened and all outgoing and incoming vehicles are being screened, said the SSP, Mr Parag Jain. There will be 75 points from where members of the public will disperse after the celebrations. Static guards will be placed at these points, he said, while adding that close co-ordination was being maintained with the neighbouring states besides the state and central intelligence.

Anti-sabotage checks will be carried out at each venue and all security aspects of the region will be kept in mind, Mr Jain added.

Metal detectors will be used in Sector 17 and each visitor will be screened. The police has asked the organising committees to provide barricades and also ropes to make people come into the venue in a single line. Other than metal detectors all other regulations will apply in six other locations like Sectors 37, 20, 27 and 46, besides the villages of Dhanas and Ram Darbar.

All these seven venues have been put under the charge of a DSP, who will head a team comprising 3 inspectors and 70 men , including ASIs and SIs.

At other Dasehra venues police teams will be headed by an inspector.

Besides this every thana will have 11 more points to handle and watch.

City gears up for festival season
From Tribune Reporters

PANCHKULA, Oct 6 — Colourful buntings and streamers, posters screaming sales and discounts on show windows of shops, packed parkings in sector markets and blaring horns are all indications of the beginning of the festive season.

While markets are bustling with activity as shoppers go about picking their stuff, shopkeepers are busy calculating requirements with sales soaring up in festive season. Confectioners of the city contend that they are already up to their head with orders for bakery items, while sweetmeat shop owners are finalising their order lists which have just begun to flow in.

Shoppers with bags bursting at the seams can be seen doing the rounds while others have caught in the festive mood are indulging in window shopping. “Anytime is peak time in our market which opens at 10.30 a.m. and shopkeepers are unable to pull down their shutters till 10 o’clock in the night with customers,” Mr A.K. Sharma contends.

Meanwhile, the advent of the season is marked by stalls of dry fruit displayed in artistic boxes specially orders keeping in view the festival spirit. While each shop vies with its neighbour to catch the eye of perspective customers on the lookout for gifts, a few shops have started the process of stocking firecrackers as well. “Around Dashera, the sales of crackers picks up and continue even after Divali. Cash is in plenty with the people, you just have to know the tactics of selling them your stuff. For this, I get whatever is in vogue from outside to be different,” Mr Gurpreet Singh, running a departmental store, informs.

Meanwhile, preparations for Dashera have begun and effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnatha are being given final touches. The main function will be held at Sector 5 Parade Ground tomorrow. Durga puja also continued at Gauri Shankar Mandir in Sector 17 with pomp and show. The immersion of the idol of Durga is scheduled for October 8 at 2.30 p.m.

CHANDIGARH : Festive spirit, though might not be on an all-time high, but residents of the City Beautiful want to enjoy. Traditional celebrations might be missing, but these have been only given a modern touch.

They are celebrating it in the latest of the trends and, the mood, apart from that of holidaying is all filled with fun and joy.

And why will our traders miss the occasion to encash the mood of the denizens? Sales and exhibitions at every nook and corner of the city are only adding to that colourful mood in the City Beautiful. From household items to consumer durables. Even a jeweller shop is selling gold and diamond jewellery on no profit no loss basis.

Dasehra is a festival to be enjoyed by kids too. Today they were seen persuading their parents to buy colourful bow and arrows and hard board swords. “I have sold 60 teer kaman and gada today”, said Balwinder, a balloon seller at Sector 17.

Though shops are offering discounts and are bursting with stocks, the middle-class customers is refusing to take the bait. “We are saving our money for the Divali”, said Ms Nirmal, a resident of Sector 22. The shopkeepers are optimist about the sales. “In next few days people will come out for purchasing”, said a shopkeeper of the Sector 19 market.

Puja celebrations in full swing
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — With community puja pandals turning out to be mass meeting grounds, the stalls at Sree Sree Sarbajaneen Durga Puja at the Sector 31 junction here are attracting many.

It has been organised by the Sarbajaneen Durga Committee. Every day after soulful offerings to Goddess Durga, many cultural programmes are organised.

Mr Ashok Sen Gupta, a member of the committee, said, “This festival holds an important position for Bengalis. These gatherings always help to remind us of our heritage and culture.”

Along with the Puja, the other attractions are various stalls here ranging from Chinese food to auto loans. The colourfully decorated stalls are giving a fete like atmosphere to this place. Stalls also feature South-Indian food, juices and mouth-watering aloo tikki and gol gappas. Stalls for auto-loans for new models of scooters, pearl jewellery and crystals from Hyderabad, clothes, blankets etc.

Besides, antakshries, musical chairs, shankdwani etc are also the attractions.

This six-day long Durga puja will conclude on Sunday.

Air Cmdr visits Sainik Board
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — Air Commodore I.S. Chhatwal, AVSM, SC, VM, Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, paid an official visit to the city and the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Punjab, here today. This was his first visit to the UT and Punjab.

Brig K.S. Kahlon, Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Punjab, briefed the Secretary, KSB, about the working of the Sainik Welfare Board. He also gave details of pre-recruitment training and vocational training comprising computer application course etc. He requested him to review the financial assistance being granted to ex-servicemen, and widows out of the Raksha Mantri Discretionary Fund.

While discussing the construction of Sainik rest houses in the newly created districts of Fatehgarh Sahib and Muktsar, the Secretary, KSB, stressed early completion of these rest houses and asked the Punjab Government to release funds as early as possible.

Car taken away in dramatic way
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — A Zen owned by a Sector 42 resident was taken away at gun point, just 500 metres away from his home, in a dramatic fashion by two youth around 10 p.m. yesterday.

The car (CH-01-X-7497) is owned by Mr O.P Longia, a manager with a S.A.S. Nagar-based pharmaceutical company. Along the car he lost his wallet containing Rs 2300, his credit card, other documents and a belief that roads in the city were safe at night.

Mr Longia was returning from Sector 17. "It was around 9.30", Mr Longia informed. When he entered Sector 42 from Sector 36 and turned left on the road in front of Badminton Stadium to reach his home in Sector 42-B, a red-coloured Maruti stopped at an angle adjacent to him. "I also stopped thinking someone was wanting ask an address or something,’’ he said. Within seconds two youth jumped out of the vehicle and one of them pointed a pistol at his chest and asked him to get off the car. He said he got off the car and the two of the youths sat in front. The driver of the vehicle in which they had come kept sitting inside his car. Within seconds one of the youths asked Mr Longia to sit on the rear seat of the Zen. "The pistol was again pointed at me as one of them asked for my mobile", the victim said, while adding that he tackled them saying that he did not carry a mobile.

One of the youths asked him in whose name the car was registered and where were the registration papers. Mr Longia told them that the RC was on the dashboard. The victim was then asked to lower his head and the pistol was pointed at his head.

One of the youths conducted a through physical check of Mr Longia while the car on the move. He took out his purse, cash and credit card. On reaching the road outside Fragrance Garden in Sector 36, the youth asked Mr Longia to get off. The entire operation lasted only about seven to eight minutes, Mr Longia said, adding that he could not note the number of the car used by the youth.

BUSINESS

Online shopping fails to take off
By Binny Sharma

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6 — All efforts of the enthusiasts have not succeeded in making online shopping popular in the city, and the customers continue to prefer the system that makes for direct contact with the seller. The e-centres, have, therefore, not been able to do much business, and many of them are facing closure.

A few months ago more than 120 e-centres became functional in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. These were started for people who do not have Internet facilities or for housewives who are not acquainted with Internet. At present, only about 45 e-centres are striving to remain in business and the rest are just dormant.

“We are getting 30 per cent of the business from e-centres and 70 per cent from direct orders on our site or on our telephone numbers,” said Mr Sandeep Sharma, the director of Glidemart that provides the e-centers. Initially the concept of starting e-centres was to use the contacts of an individual, in order to popularise the facilities provided by the company.

Various factors are responsible for the fall of this business. Some e-centres complain that as soon as a customer becomes regular, the company contacts him directly. “The customer takes time to repose faith in our services and by the time he becomes regular, the company starts dealing with him directly, leaving us aside,” says Ms Kamaljeet who is running an e-centre. Mr Harpreet Kohli, who runs an e-centre in Sector 19 has the same grievance. “The companies shift to direct contact or tele-marketing. I have now stopped making efforts to get new business”.

But e-centres in Panchkula and Mohali have faced a set back in another sense. Panchkula which initially had 21 e-centres is now left with only a few because of the extra sales tax. Mr H.M. Monga of Panchkula says: “I was running my e-centre well, but the imposition of extra sales tax in Panchkula has affected my business and I am left with very few customers.” Ms Anuradha Singh of Mohali is facing the same problem.