The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Ambala students win Physics Quiz
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 — The Sector 11 Government College was host to more than 100 students of various colleges of the region who were here to participate in two inter-college physics contests today.

In the "Just a Minute" contest, spontaneity and ingenuity of students was put to test. Prof. S.M. Khosla, former Principal of the Jalandhar Government College of Education, gave away the prizes. Shalini Atri and Palvinder Karu of GMN College, Ambala Cantt., won the running trophy. Palvinder Kaur also won the first prize in the contest. Palka Sahni of the local MCM DAV College won the second prize, while Nimmi Kaul of the same college won the third prize.

Prizes for the "Physics Quiz" were given by Dr D.G. Chhabra, a former Head of the Department in the local Government College. The team of Lovekesh, Ram Asra and Gautam of SD College (Lahore), Ambala Cantt., won the trophy. The team of Himani, Deepa Gautam and Manish Gogna of Government College, Paonta Sahib, won the second prize, while the team of Manish Goel Vishal Sharma and Saurabh of the Sector 10 DAV college, won the third prize.

COURTS

Forum verdict to be challenged
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 — Mr Kamaljit Cheema and Mr S. Kapoor of Grand Travel Planners have decided to challenge the verdict of the UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum II on technical grounds.

They said that the airline, British Airways, had made it clear in the scheme under which the complainant, Mr J.S. Nat, had purchased the tickets, would lead to a surcharge of Rs 3,000 a ticket in case of any cancellation.

The cancellation charges so deducted were deposited with the British Airways. As such, they explained that they have not been penalised by the Consumer Forum as reported but asked to repay the money so deducted from the complainant. Since the deduction done was as per the scheme, no irregularity was committed by them in deducting the charges and subsequently depositing the money with the airline.

“It is on this technical reason that we have decided to challenge this order,” they said, maintaining that for the past two decades they have been serving the people with honesty and good service.

DSOI management dispute laid to rest
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 — With the court accepting the deed of compromise signed by the members concerned regarding the management of the Defence Services Officers Institute here, the nine-year-old dispute finally seems to have been laid to rest.

The UT Civil Judge, Mr K.K. Goyal, accepted the deed of compromise signed by members of both the warring factions yesterday. Justice Goyal accepted a six-point compromise agreement which had been mediated by the Governor of Punjab, Lt Gen JFR Jacob (retd) last month.

Justice Goyal had, on September 20, 2000, issued directions that the Receiver of the institute arrange a meeting at the earliest possible to settle the dispute amicably outside the court with the intervention of the Punjab Governor. Accordingly, the Receiver, Mr Vijay Kain, presently posted as Secretary Defence Services Welfare, Punjab, organised a meeting at the Punjab Raj Bhawan on January 22, where the members concerned of both the parties were present.

The DSOI, registered in 1992, was funded by the Government of Punjab, which provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 90 lakh for land and construction of the building. However, a section of the members were against governmental control and got a parallel governing body registered, thereby coercing the original body to move court in 1996, seeking restraint on the activities of the parallel body.

The court declared both bodies to be illegally constituted and directed that Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, function as the Receiver for the DSOI’s management. The appointment led to service officers accusing the bureaucracy of “hijacking” the institute and alleged that the Receiver was enrolling new members in violation of the court’s orders.

As per the compromise worked out between the parties, the Defence Services Officers Club and Defence Services Officers Institute are to be dissolved. A new society would be registered, if necessary, under the directions of the Governor and its constitution would be approved by him. In the interim period till a new body is formed the affairs of the club would be managed under the existing arrangement, that is, would be looked after by the Receiver. After the new society comes into being, the existing assets, liabilities and membership will be transferred to it.

The compromise deed also states that the parties agree to do all acts as may be required for the proper implementation of this compromise and the decree that may be passed by the court.

Forum penalises Amardeep Motors
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 —The UT District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, directed the Amardeep Motors Industrial Area, to pay compensation to a city resident. The complainant, Mr Promod Siyal, had filed complaint before the forum to direct the Automobile Limited and Amardeep Motors to refund the booking amount of Rs 25,000, with interest, to him.

It was stated in the complaint that the complainant booked one Pal-Peugeot 309 car with the opposite party, by paying Rs 25,000 and was allotted the priority Number D304/248. He got the booking cancelled by sending a letter. He alleged that he had not received the amount in spite of repeated requests.

The forum observed that the complainant, though had booked the car, but was no longer interested to purchase the car. The forum allowed the complaintant Rs 2200 as cost of the case and directed Amardeep Motors to refund Rs 25,000 to the complainant along with interest at the rate of 9 percent.

CULTURE

All about Tibet — in one go, at one place
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 — It was a window to the great culture of Tibet. The Festival of Tibet, which was formally inaugurated here this morning, set off to an encouraging start, much to the surprise of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress people, who were not expecting a very strong visitation.

They were, however, proved wrong, with people thronging DAV Model School, Sector 15-A, to catch a glimpse of the rarities being displayed on the spot. After the formality of throwing open the festival at the hands of Information Minister, Punjab, the day was all about reflection of Tibetan heritage, which mainly comprised the strong religious lineage of the community.

So one could well begin with a description of the Kalachakra Mandala (the wheel of life), which is being worked at in the venue by a set of four monks from Namgyal Monastery, Dharamsala, and the creation of butter sculptures by monks from Nechunj Monastery, Dharamsala — to mention a few. Ngawang Lodeo, Lobsang, Tensing and Norbu, talked to The Tribune about the significance of the images made with coloured sand. “It is a ritual followed at the time of initiation of students by the teacher. It signifies the wheel of life. After the teaching is over, we dismantle it to signify that nothing in life is permanent.”

The RTYC also depicted a typical Tibetan home, as also the altar where most of the homage is paid. The stock features all religious instruments, related paintings on Gods and other paraphernalia to create a spiritual effect. The typical Tibetan home, shown through a stall, exudes a lot of warmth, precisely because it has a lot to do with religion and peace.

In fact, the most visited spot today was the counter put up by Institute of Medicine and Astrology, Dharamsala. Then there was the rich Thanka painting work on display. The paintings, which cost anything between Rs 10,000 to 20,000 are made with scraps of rare stones. Pure gold is also used in the works, as informed by the artist, Lhundup. Metal work is all the more expensive — with a single Buddha costing anything between Rs 1 and 5 lakh. Said the artist Nyima on work, “This takes a lot of labour, at least a year to finish, hence the cost.” Wood carving artist, Pema Gyalpo, added that the Tibetan artistry was mainly being exported. All these artists work with the Norbulingka Institute, Dharamsala .

Beginning from photographs from occupation of Tibet to the government in exile, the show features aspects as little known as the food of Tibetans. There is a full-fledged kitchen running where the chefs are offering traditional foods like Tsampa (made of roasted barley), Momo, Shabhakleb (patties), Drey (plain rice), Thue (made of cheese and sattoo), sweet tea, butter tea, to mention a few.

A section of Tibet’s traditional musical instruments is also quite interesting. The city based Tibetans were busy playing Dranyen (the guitar). They also had drums and a Tibetan violin. The RTYC people procured the instruments from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamsala. The handicraft section is being handled by the Dalai Lama’s Charitable Trust, New Delhi. On display are carpets and rags, apart from garments.

Coming back to the morning when the show was inaugurated by Mr Satpal Saini, Minister for Information, Punjab. Some very important announcements made in the morning included the one by Ms Rinchen Khrudo, Education Minister, Tibetan Government in exile, who donated Rs 10,000 for Gujarat earthquake victims. The RTYC also declared that one-third of the profits from the fair would be donated to the relief fund. A prayer session for the victims was also held.

Towards the evening, traditional dances were staged. Among the lot the most appreciated was Tashi Sholba (the dance of good luck). The 20 monks from Bon Monastery, Solan, performed a special dance called Cham (which can only be performed by monks). This dance form is famous as the ‘mask dance’, and is meant to ward off evil forces. Snow lion and yak dance by students of RTYC, Chandigarh was yet another attraction. This dance depicted Tibet’s nomadic life and the mythical significance of the snow lion.

Among films screened today was Kundun, the Martin Scorsese film about the 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama. The Cup, a film by Khyntse Norbu, which shows the monks obsessed with soccer, was also shown. The other two films screened today included Tintin in Tibet and The Windhorse.

A unique photo opportunity
By A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 2 — Mr Tejbans Jauhar alias Teji, a city photographer, had an experience of a lifetime. He had clicked the wedding pictures of a couple 27 years ago. Two weeks ago, he flew to Los Angeles to click the wedding pictures of the couple’s daughter.

Ms Ranjana, a Chandigarh girl married Mr Ranbir Singh Wasu, an NRI settled in Japan, 27 years ago. The couple migrated to the USA after a few years of marriage. Wasu family is now settled in Orange Country on the outskirts of the LA, one of the most expensive parts of the USA. Mr Wasu is into the business of import and export of handtools.

It all started when Mr Teji ran into Mr Wasu’s brother-in-law in Chandigarh a few weeks ago who mentioned casually about the forthcoming wedding of his niece, Loveleen, in the USA. During the course of the conversation, it was discovered that Mr Teji had clicked the wedding pictures of the girl’s parents in Chandigarh 27 years ago. Mr Teji was invited to click the pictures of Loveleen’s wedding in the LA as well. He was provided with a return air ticket and stay at a swank, Los Angeles hotel. He was there for four days.

It was a typical Indian wedding with a baraat, dholi, and a mare.

The wedding ceremony took place in Hotel Sheraton, one of the most expensive ones in the LA. Even wealthy Americans shy away from it. Since the LA rules did not permit a fire to be lit in the hall of a hotel, candles substituted for a havankund. The priest translated Vedic mantras into English and Hindi for the benefit of the guests.

Mr Teji, who has visited the USA many times, says that he has noticed a distinct change in attitude of Americans towards Indians. Indians are now treated with a lot more respect than before there.