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TOP STORIES

Zirakpur-Dera Bassi stretch closed from tomorrow
Dera Bassi, February 17
The Zirakpur-Dera Bassi stretch of the busy Chandigarh-Ambala highway will remain closed to vehicular traffic for a week from February 19. The road, through which thousands of vehicle pass every day, has been closed because of the repair work on the Ghaggar bridge being carried out by the buildings and roads wing of the Punjab Public Works Department from February 19 to 25.

Schools with facilities!
Panchkula, February 17
Seven -year- old Ankit loves going to school — not for the good friends he has made in school or that he loves his lessons, but because his school provides him facilities, some of which he is not even getting at home.

Basant panchami celebrated Sir Chhotu Ram remembered Chandigarh, February 17 The Chandigarh Jat Sabha organised a function to celebrate Basant Panchmi and 121st birth anniversary of Deen Bandhu Sir Chhotu Ram at Chandigarh Jat Bhavan, Sector 27 here today. Kites soar at Basant fest A Rajasthani dancer performs at Basant festival in Leisure Valley, Sector 10, Chandigarh on Sunday. — Photo Pradeep Tewari

Farm varsities in need of fiscal reforms
Chandigarh, February 17
The entire process of teaching, research and extension education in state agricultural universities is slowly grinding to a halt because of severe resource constraints. This has necessitated financial reforms so inevitable to put agriculture in a new trajectory. Thanks to challenges posed by the World Trade Organisation regime.

Software units, banks spread
Chandigarh, February 17
The city, carved originally for administrators, has extended an equally supportive hand to the environment-friendly industry. Exports worth Rs 60 crore were registered last year. While fasteners and electronics industry have dominated the scenario earlier, it is software units which have hogged the limelight now and these have contributed almost 80 per cent of the total exports.

A cultural confluence Chandigarh, February 17 When music begins to flow, physical boundaries become insignificant. What remains then is a communication between two cultures in the language of rhythm. The idiom of nations coming together through the exchange of performing arts is far from new. In fact, over the recent past it has become a trusted form of communication across frontiers.   Austrian dancer Radha Anjali and her ensemble present 'Samgama' at PEC auditorium, Sector 12, Chandigarh. — A Tribune photo

CHANDIGARH CALLING LOVE was stolen in the shadow of trees and buildings on the college campuses on Valentine day as youngsters tried to break free from the shackles of conservative society by exchanging cards and gifts. Parents thought that their children were attending classes while some of the love-bitten youngsters actually spent the day whispered sweet nothings. Wilted love and jilted lovers A disheartened lot Airy business Special Valentine dhania Without rules IMA award Devoted life Missing number Winter’s parting kick Most disciplined Tailpiece

COMMUNITY

Relaxing time for Razia Sultan

Chandigarh, February 17 It was a relaxing time for Ms Razia Sultan, who contested for the first time from the Malerkotla Assembly constituency in the Punjab Assembly elections on February 13, where she had been pitted against many stalwarts. Razia Sultan, who contested from Malerkotla in the Punjab Assembly elections, relaxes with her children at her residence in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo Parvesh Chauhan

Parking contractor threatens to quit
Chandigarh, February 17
The parking contractor today threatened to pull out of the agreement with the Municipal Corporation due to the alleged non-cooperative attitude of politicians, the police and the Municipal Corporation.

CRIME

CBI chargesheets bank officer
Chandigarh, February 17
The Central Bureau of Investigation has reportedly chargesheeted an officer of the State Bank of Patiala for allegedly defrauding the bank to the tune of Rs 26 lakh. According to the charge sheet, filed before the special CBI judge recently, the said officer was posted as manager of the bank’s Sanawri Adda branch on the GT Road at Patiala, where he entered into a criminal conspiracy with several persons with the intent to defraud the bank.

• Woman run over by vehicle

EDUCATION

Growth of microelectronics vital for the country
Chandigarh, February 17
India must concentrate on product innovation and creation of markets for growth of microelectronics in the country. This was one of the recommendations made in the concluding panel discussions during the Chandigarh Symposium on Microelectronics (CSME)-2002 being held at Panjab University here yesterday.

Hum honge kamyab...
Chandigarh, February 17

An entertaining cultural programme marked the annual function celebrations of Sanjivini Public School, Sector 11, here yesterday. The programme began with a Saraswati vandana and concluded with a grand finale with all children coming on the stage as “Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani’’ and “Hum honge kamyab’’ played in the background. Children take part in the annual function of Sanjivini Public School, Sector 11, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photo

Students protest ‘overcharging’
Chandigarh, February 17
Supporters of the Panjab University Students Union yesterday protested against alleged overcharging by PCO owners on the Panjab University campus. This afternoon, PUSU activists took out a march from Student Center to the Sector 14 market protesting against the alleged excessive charging on the local call.

Him Gunjan echoes
Chandigarh, February 17
A large number of students today gathered at Panjab University to witness ‘Him Gunjan — 2002’, annual cultural- cum-prize distribution programme of the Shimla Students Association.

• YPS Fete-2002

• Students perform Rajasthani dance

Suspension orders of Registrar stayed
SAS Nagar, February 17
The suspension orders of the Registrar of the Punjab Nursing Council have been stayed by a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Registrar had been suspended by the Punjab Government for increasing the number of seats of Sacred Heart Hospital, Maqsudan, Jalandhar.

DISTRICT COURTS
2-yr RI for CTU driver
Chandigarh, February 17
A CTU driver, Partap Chand, was yesterday sentenced to two years in rigorous imprisonment by a local court in a case of causing death due to rash and negligent driving. The accused was also fined Rs 500 by the court.

• 7-yr jail for raping minor

• Bail plea dismissed in rape case

Plague cases: nodal officers appointed
Chandigarh, February 17
The Chandigarh Administration today appointed one nodal officer each in the PGI, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and General Hospital, Sector 16, to keep vigil on suspected plague cases and claimed there was no need to panic in the city and nearby areas.

• Euphoria ends with rock

SPORTS

PEC Sports Club win Slazer Cup
Chandigarh, February 17
A brilliant performance by Narinder Walia, who scored 53 runs off 44 deliveries, and Satish Chaudhary, who claimed four wickets for just 17 runs, enabled PEC Sports Club beat Panchkula Cricket Club by 74 runs to win the final of the second Salzer Cup League Cricket Tournament at the PEC grounds today.

ADMINISTRATION

New tariff for banners, balloons
Chandigarh, February 17
The Chandigarh Administration has amended the Chandigarh Advertisement Control Order, 1954, notifying charges for banners and balloons. An amount of Rs 50 per square foot per day will be charged upto a period of one week and 25 per cent extra for subsequent periods on banners on the roadside, as per the new provision.