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| Monday, February 18, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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Zirakpur-Dera Bassi stretch closed from tomorrow Dera Bassi, February 17 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 (PPWD) from February 19 to 25. The department had earlier decided to close the road from January 30 till February,5, but it had to put this off due to some administrative problems. The department had to postpone the repair work on the bridge as a Yamunanagar based barrier manufacturer had failed to deliver the supplies to the department by the due date. Authorities disclosed that with the passage of time and due to the heavy volume of traffic, some barriers had disappeared from under seven spans. The road has been closed as the department will take over a week to insert over 18 barriers under the spans, apart from replacing four damaged expansion joints of the bridge, according to an official of the department. Sources in the department said Rs 21 lakh would be spent on the repair work, awarded to R.S. Builders, a Ludhiana-based company. Vehicular traffic towards Ambala and Delhi will be diverted from Chandigarh to the Panchkula-Ramgarh-Mubarikpur road, to rejoin the highway near Dera Bassi. Vehicles coming from the Delhi and Ambala side will be diverted from Ambala to take the Rajpura - Tapra road to rejoin the highway at Zirakpur. For light vehicles and local commuters, a temporary kutcha road with a makeshift bridge has also been laid on the Ghaggar bed adjacent to the railway bridge near
Mubarikpur. |
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Schools with facilities! Panchkula, February 17 Everyday an air-conditioned bus picks him up, he likes the brightly-painted classroom where the air-conditioner keeps him cool in summers and warm in winters . He gets filtered water when he is thirsty and lunch is served on a well-laid table for him and other classmates. Welcome to the “designer schools” in the township. There are more than 15 public schools in the township, with a population of less than two lakh. This is besides the umpteen government schools here. With each school trying to woo the parents, they are trying to outdo the other in providing the best facilities. Interestingly, the schools in the township, undoubtedly, have an infrastructure unheard of in this part of the region. From air-conditioned buses with wireless connectivity and air-conditioned classrooms to state-of-the-art multimedia theatres and from electric joyrides to lessons being taught on CD- ROMs, schools in the township have indeed come a long way. Gone are the classes with rickety wooden chairs and tables and in are the custom made chairs and tables in all shades and colours. The classrooms are no longer painted in dull and drab colours. Red, blue and green are the in colours for nursery classes, with curtains on the windows having Disneyworld characters on the print. Even the sunmica on the cupboards in the classes have cartoon characters painted on them. Since the children these days are quite sensitive to water-borne ailments, most of these schools provide filtered water. In some schools, water filtration plants have been set up. The computer laboratories in the schools now boast of the latest gizmos. Even the reception area of these schools are designed to make a lasting impression. In fact, like in Delhi, several schools are also considering getting their ISO certification done. Most of their schools have also tried to evolve their own system of education, like Shemrock Fort, which has evolved a system that combines the Irish and American forms of education. Says the director, Dr P. Arora , “We have tried to emulate an American system with minor alterations according to local needs. Education is based on activity and emphasis is to involve children in the learning process.” Even the screening process for new admissions has been changed. No longer do schools rely on interviews with children to assess their mental development, they have instead introduced an “ informal
interaction with students.” Cognitive and motor skills, besides their reactions after receiving instructions, is what is now being assessed to give admission. “We prefer children with a uniform IQ level and this helps us in dealing with them in upper classes,” says Mr Sanjay Thareja, director of Gurukul School. Some parents feel that these schools are high on hype and low on overall development of the child. “These schools have more emphasis on infrastructure and less on the real education of child,” alleges a parent, whose two children are studying in a school in Sector 6 here. |
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Basant panchami celebrated Chandigarh, February 17 Presiding over the function, the president of the sabha, Mr M.S. Malik, who is also the Director-General of Haryana Police, said Sir Chhotu Ram raised his voice against the tyranny of moneylenders and succeeded in breaking their shackles. The farming community was free to earn their livelihood. Mr Malik said Sir Chhotu Ram was a mentor, philosopher and a guide for the farming community. He got the consolidation implemented and enabled farmers to make their farms viable for tilling and sowing which reduced the cost of production. He underlined the need for following the philosophy and ideals of Sir Chhotu Ram as its relevance in the present times was more relevant now. He added that the rural sports was the key progress and prosperity of rural India. He said adhering to the ideals of Sir Chhotu Ram, the Haryana Government had done a lot for the promotion of sports like 3 per cent reservation for sportsmen in government jobs, making provisions for cash awards ranging up to Rs 1 crore and 75 per cent concession in travelling in Haryana Roadways buses for sportsmen. Winners of the Bhai Surinder Singh Malik Memorial All-India on-the-spot essay writing competition held on December 2, 2001, were given cash prizes on the occasion. The competition was held at Chandigarh Jat Bhawan, Nidani Chaudhary Bharat Singh Memorial School, Rohtak, Pathania Public School and Hisar Viswas Senior Secondary School. The winners included rural and urban students. There were 11 prizes along with the gold, silver and bronze medals for the first three winners. On this occasion, meritorious students, outstanding sportsmen and frequent contributors to monthly journal, ‘Jat Lahar’, published by the Jat community were honoured. Mr Malik also released a book titled “Tau Devi Lal — Vyaktitva Aur Chintan” and aesthetically designed a pictorial souvenir containing activities of the Jat sabha during the previous year. Famous folk singers of Haryanvi culture like Mahavir Guddu, Ishwar Singh Sharma, Sarita Chadhary and Jagbeer Rathee enthralled the audience. Among others who attended the function were Mr A.S. Bhatotia, Director-General of Prison, who is also the president of the Yadav Sabha, Mr Amrik Singh, president of the Gujjar Welfare Council, and Mr Ram Niwas, Director,
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Kites soar at Basant fest Chandigarh, February 17 In the category of educational theme based kites, the awards went to Dr Devinder Pal
Singh and Siri Krishnan. In the folk-dance by children section, the prizes went to Jasimrat Kaur, Simran and
Chandani. The turban tying contest was won by Surjeet Singh, Amandeep Singh and Jasjit Singh, respectively. The tug of war was won by Poonam Preet Lari and Pritma Praneet while the fancy dress prizes went to
Shaloo, Deep Kaur and Shalu. Apart from the prize presentation the day saw many folk-dance performances by local troupes. The crowd, however, remained thin. PANCHKULA: The Saraswati Kala Sangam celebrated Basant Utsav at Satluj Public School, here, today by organising a cultural
programme. The programme began with the chief guests, Mr Jai Gopal Aggarwal and Mr Preetam Serai, lighting a lamp. Amit Sharma enthralled the audience with his sitar recital, while Prabhkeerat Kaur’s bhajans were appreciated by one and all. |
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Farm varsities in need of fiscal reforms Chandigarh, February 17 Although the budgetary trends appear to move upwards, in reality the farm universities are in poor financial health. Unless enabled to recuperate, the entire gamut of agricultural economy will be jeopardised. As elsewhere, salaries, wages and pensions guzzle a major percentage of their budgets. The Association of the Vice-Chancellors of All-India Agricultural Universities took stock of the deteriorating resources and poor standards of work culture at a meeting in New Delhi recently. It also deliberated on the financial reforms proposed by the Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh. Dr Aulakh illustrated his thesis by citing the example of PAU, where the percentage provision for salary, contingencies and civil works (2001-02) was 83.1, 14.79 and 1.21, respectively. Thus, in all research and development programmes the declining work contingencies acted as a serious limiting factor. And this when the cost of the inputs had increased 4.1 times (1997-98) in the past 25 years. The total funding of agricultural research in India is very low — 0.45 per cent of the gross domestic product compared to 1.99 per cent in the developed countries against an optimum required spending of 2 per cent of the GDP. Dr Aulakh has suggested a three-pronged strategy applicable and workable at the university, state government and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) levels to improve financial health. The universities must adopt efficient technologies not just for stepping up food production but also improving quality at reduced costs ensuring eco-friendliness and sustainability. For this there is need for “re-prioritisation” and redeployment of the staff (teaching, research and extension). Besides, there has to be an inbuilt system of “accountability and impact assessment”. Each university must have a research review committee consisting of eminent external experts, who should periodically inspect and intervene. Multiplicity of academics/research must be avoided and infrastructure/equipment pooled for networking and economising expenditure. The state universities must encourage NRI admissions, besides working for improved breeds (livestock and poultry) and seeds (hybrid varieties) and value-added products and involve industrial and commercial concerns in research and development. Agro-industry, farm machinery and inputs, marketing, the processing sectors, etc, must be exploited by providing “linkages” between the farm and factory through the private sector. The contribution of the private sector in agricultural funding is woefully low, barely 15 per cent (1996), compared to the UK (63 per cent), Germany (58 per cent), the USA (53 per cent), Japan (51 per cent) and the Philippines (32 per cent). Farm scientists could also be given incentives out of the research funds they manage to raise. The state governments should provide a “one-time corpus fund” to their universities. That fund would yield adequate interest for use in meeting various needs. Punjab has a commitment of Rs 50 crore under the state grant scheme for the “second push” to agriculture. The other step suggested was to raise a “special cess fund” by levying just 1 per cent ad valorem tax on the total value of agricultural produce brought for sale to the markets. That 1 per cent is payable by farmers, sellers, with the money thus raised going to the universities. The ICAR, on its part, should release funds for its projects in time rather than releasing these only towards the close of a financial year. As suggested for the state governments, the ICAR should also create a corpus fund. The World Bank has provided US $240 million (mid-99 to 2003) under the National Agricultural Technology Projects to different ICAR institutes and the state agricultural universities. There is apprehension that once the scheme is terminated, it will cause a financial vacuum, seriously affecting research and development. Therefore, to tide over that situation, the ICAR should step in and plan for that right away. There is also a demand that the ICAR should enhance contingent grants from the existing Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 per scientist as also the stipend money for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Dr Aulakh has emphasised that the state agricultural universities will have to reorient themselves on the pattern of the IITs and IIMs, cut down on overhead expenses, opt for e-governance, introduce information technology, create websites, strengthen libraries and laboratories, build data banks, etc, effecting economy and introducing quality. The universities must act and work more as professionals than mere clerical institutions. Simultaneously, the krishi vigyan kendras/research stations must be strengthened — administratively, financially, workwise — to act as “focal points” for the dissemination of knowledge, information and inputs. Besides, the universities must prepare “modules” based on actual lifestyles, projecting the future requirements of small, marginal and landless farmers to help them prepare themselves physically and psychologically to meet new challenges ahead with affordable means. |
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Software units, banks spread Chandigarh, February 17 "Despite the global recession, software exports have been encouraging from the city. The benefit of this industry is that it contributes to the economic growth without harming the environment, due to which we encourage it", said Mr N.S. Brar, Director, Industries. Good infrastructure, that is, power, roads and non-existence of octroi, helped providing a friendly atmosphere to the industry to develop, said he. The coming years would see more of IT-related units like telecom, software and software-related units in the city, said he. Initially, when the city was built, 1,475 acres were developed as industrial area and entrepreneurs were encouraged to set up their units. The city is not an industrial city and the industrial growth has been
gradual. The number of working factories increased to 579 in 1999-2000 from 550 in 1993-94. More than 22,000 workers are
employed in these units. According to the Annual Survey of Industries, of these, 15 factories are classified as large or medium-scale units and 2100 small-scale units. There has been little increase in the number of units after that. Of the small-scale industries, roughly 40 per cent are ancillary units, producing for the major tractor industry around Chandigarh. Light engineering is heavily represented; other units produce industrial fasteners, electric and electronic items, machine tools, pharmaceuticals, plastic goods, sanitary fittings, leather goods, steel furniture and food products. According to a report prepared for the Chandigarh Administration by former Union Finance Minister H.K. Manmohan Singh and B.S. Bhatia of the Panjab University Department of Business Management, the union territory’s small-scale sector experienced negative growth from 1990 to 1994. The report said the number of establishments declined, as did the level of employment, although the value of production increased somewhat. They concluded that the modern industrial sector was gradually advancing while the traditional household and small-scale sectors were declining. Then it was observed that in terms of investment, paper, basic chemicals, basic metals and alloys industry were the primary ones. Food products, metal products, electrical goods, transport equipment and repair services were the other important industries. The industrial growth in Punjab and Haryana and, now, Punjab’s focus is on SAS Nagar as an IT destination, are creating an impact on the city’s industrial scenario as well. “These are helping provide more employment to the city youth and being in close vicinity to the city, are contributing to industrial growth here also”, said Mr Brar. The city has also seen rapid growth of banks and financial institutions following this. Not only nationalised, but even private banks in large numbers have marked their entry here. The industrial growth, primarily software, which has brought manpower here has contributed to this, say observers. There were 204 bank offices in the city in 1999-2000 compared to 106 in 1990-91. |
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A cultural confluence Chandigarh, February 17 Following on the same line, the dancers of Austrian company Natya Mandir were in Chandigarh today on an invitation from the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre and the Indian Association of Friendships with Foreign Countries. What they offered to the audience at Punjab Engineering College auditorium this evening was a form of cultural assimilation. Titled
'Samgama' (a Sanskrit word meaning coming together), the dance recital was about seven perfectly harmonised sequences. Drawing from the treasure house of Indian classical dance forms the bharatnatyam and the
kathakali, the recital was about an Austrian interpretation of the Indian traditions. As Radha
Anjali, the Vienna-based founder of Natya Mandir, said: "We try to transmit the essence, technique and aesthetics of bharatanatyam and thus contribute and enrich the dance scene existing in Vienna and Austria." Accompanying Radha Anjali was her ensemble comprising three dancers Asmita
Banerjee, Satya Rekha and Angelika Stadelmann and three musicians, Thomas Nawrati on the vibraphone and
tabla, Gerhard Rosner on the tabla and Georg Graf on the saxophone, clarinet and the flute. The recital opened with Sari dance, a sequence inspired by the South Indian dance theatre form
kathakali, wherein the main character appears from behind the curtain. With its grace and virility, the sequence was enthralling. The Sari dance gave way to an item which served to reflect the quintessence of
bharatnatyam. Called Adavu, the sequence had all the four dancers exploring the dance units of the form. With the dancers graduating from one sequence to another, Samgama stood bared as a highly successful attempt at
The third presentation of the evening came from three musicians, who blended the elements of two cultures in their own style. The item attempted to underline the fact that there is no difference between the seeker and the sought. Even while the vibrations were still floating, the four dancers came on the stage again to present an Austrian interpretation of Haiku, the Japanese poem in which the 17 syllables of the Haiku interact with 5, 7 and 17 beats of the composition. Then came the historic sequence of Draupadi's public insult following Pandavas' defeat in the game of dice. The concept of Samgama gained further relevance as the Austrian dancers tried to secure freedom within the rigid regime of bharatnatyam. Where the improvisation of abhinaya was seen in ashtapadi, the finer rhythmic aspect of the dance form was reflected in 'tillana' composed by Madurai N. Krishnan. The final presentation came in the form of 'mangalam'. In its finality, Samgama served to build a tangible relationship between the art forms of two nations. The way of presentation by Radha and her troupe was largely Indian. The opulent costumes and the jewellery were imposing enough to keep the audience indulged for about an hour and a half. |
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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. Almost all youngsters were hunting for the hearts but a lot of them did try to win the trophies of love on the ‘‘auspicious day’’. Away from the eyes of their parents, the young innocence could be seen offering gifts to their loved ones. Some college students complained that they were threatened with expulsion if they were found offering gifts to anyone. So, they did the needful hiding themselves behind the hedges and other corners in the college premises. Most of the elderly persons were not even aware of the day. Some rued the fact that the electronic and print media were highlighting the day which had no roots in the Indian culture. Wilted love and jilted lovers Flowers did not bloom in the residences of city guys on St Valentine's Day in 2002. Much to their disappointment, their lady loves could not walk up to the florists and buy roses as the crowd of hooligans, hanging around the shops, prevented them from picking up the "bouquets of love". In the absence of flowers, pretty damsels had to manage with cheerful, heart-shaped, balloons being offered by the sellers paddling down the streets, carefully avoiding the ruthless cops. Interestingly, like flowers, the prices of balloons too had been enhanced on February 14. Instead of Rs 5, the knights in shining leather jackets, and maidens in swinging blue jeans, had to pay double the price. Now can you say, illiterate balloon wallas know nothing about the theory of demand and supply so painfully taught to the students of economics in undergraduate classes. Meanwhile, at advantage were visionary teenyboppers who exchanged sweet messages of love a day before the grand finale. They succeeded in buying a rose for the price of a rose and not a cauliflower. Incidentally, that is exactly what jilted lovers bought for their extinguished flames — cactus and cauliflowers. After waiting for hours outside the departments, the forlorn lovers boldly presented the thorny gifts of past love to dames they had once given their hearts. A disheartened lot Balloon sellers, who always manage to make the maximum profit on the St Valentine's Day, were a disheartened lot this time round. High security in and around colleges served to dampen their sales in a big way. At least 11 balloon sellers had parked themselves all along the GCM, GCG, Sector 11, and Home Science College road. The area, known for its high commercial value, did not come to their rescue this time. No boys or girls were even allowed by the police to stop by and purchase a balloon for the loved one. This was the first time the sellers actually had to wait in line for buyers. The result was that the per balloon cost which had touched a whopping Rs 30 last year, did not rise above Rs 10 this time. Airy business Every juice lover has his day, but February 14 was just too bad for them as all juicewallas disappeared from the city roads and streets. The reason for this was not very hard to see. Instead of squeezing oranges and sugarcanes, they started selling balloons. No wonder, the business of selling balloons soared on St Valentine's Day. Everywhere you looked, you saw vendors selling balloons at double the normal price. "We were able to earn more in one day then we usually earn in a week, thanks to some many prospective lovers in the city," admitted one of the vendors. He, however, refused to divulge the name of the enlightened guru who affectionately informed him and his vendor brothers about the significance of the day. Special Valentine dhania St Valentine has quite a following in the city. Not only do showroom owners cash in on the day, even the vegetable vendors in the Sector 26 grain market are well posted on the commercial value of this day. No wonder the scene at the Grain market on February 14 was quite interesting. A band of children selling bunches of coriander in the market struck upon a very smart sale strategy. They shouted aloud wherever they went: “Le lo bhai saab. Ye to special valentine dhania hai. Isko sabzi mein dalo aur pyar badhao." Taken in by the smart quote, every other customer who heard the kids shouting had a hearty laugh! Also everyone must have wondered over the popularity of the day. Whether or not people remember the Republic Day of India, they remember the St Valentine's Day for sure! Without rules Although more than 36 years have gone by since the Union Territory of Chandigarh was carved out and the erstwhile state was bifurcated into Punjab and Haryana, it has not so far framed rules for the deputation period of PCS and HCS officers. The stay of this class of officers in Chandigarh depends upon the whims of their seniors. Since there is no political interference in the functioning of officers in the administration, most of the officers desire to stay as long as possible. Moreover, they enjoy better perks and facilities. For example, most of the PCS and HCS officers are provided with chauffeur-driven cars and good houses. Moreover, their children get better education. And above all, they live in a beautiful and pollution-free city. It is perhaps for this reason that PCS and HCS officers try to come on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration time and again. If one sees the record of the Administration, one finds that most of the officers who stayed here once manage to come on deputation. However, for this purpose one needs support of politicians who matter. IMA award Dr Ashok Attri, Reader, GMCH-32, has been awarded the prestigious IMA Academy Award 2002 for his outstanding work in the field of academics and organisational activities of Academy of Medical Specialities. Devoted life On November 24 last year, the annual Lord Jagannath Rathyatra conducted by the Chandigarh Chapter of ISKCON, had attracted thousands of devotees from home and abroad. One such elderly devotee, Mr Ali Muthu, a South African national, came to perform “chaar dham yatra.” Reaching Vrindavan, he joined a group of devotees travelling to Chandigarh to participate in the rathyatra. His first visit to this subcontinent proved an experiment of a kind with the divine. While dancing to the drumbeats along with other devotees, this blissful Krishna devotee injured his hand and leg in an accident. Though writhing in pain, he kept on chanting Hare Krishna. He continued doing so till he was given anaesthesia. As he was wheeled out of the operation theatre with an oxygen mask covering his face, he was chanting the name of the Lord. “Lord Krishna has sent so many families to share my grief. When I came here, I thought I had left my near and dear ones thousands of miles away. But that was proved wrong. The doctors and paramedical staff at the PGI had been so nice and caring. I never felt for a split second that I was all alone and uncared for in the hospital,” he says. Mr Ali Muthu came with a prepaid return ticket and was expected to board a flight back home on January 26. A medical certificate duly signed by the doctor treating him at the PGI has been sent to Air Mauritius and the South African Embassy. A reply from them is awaited. Missing number The mystery of the missing number on the green currency note hasn’t baffled city advocate Kapil Kakkar, but has left him amused. He received a Rs 100 bill, with the portion bearing the serial number torn out, and a cellophane tape holding the edges together, in a wad of notes from a city bank. He is not returning it, or getting it exchanged. “It’s a collector’s item. I plan to keep it as a reflection of the country’s economy,” he asserts. Winter’s parting kick The cold weather seemed on its last legs. The heavy woollens were being packed and bright-coloured cashmilons were out of the wardrobes when winter once again decided to make its presence felt. The high hills got a thick covering of snow, while the plains had their share of rain, hail and icy winds. The woollens were once again pulled out hurriedly. An overcast sky turned the environment gloomy and things were back to the rigours of mid-winter. Spring, which had seemed round the corner, receded unpredictably and the gardens wore as drab a look as the heavy woollens and wind-cheaters. Whenever winter decides to prolong its stay, the mild and pleasant weather of spring is the casualty, since summer is rarely late in coming. But the cold spell departed as suddenly as it had appeared. The sun now shines bright in an azure sky, sometimes peeping from behind the veil of a floating cirrus cloud which makes its mild rays still milder. Bright cashmilons and light pullovers have finally replaced the woollens. Lunchtime crowds pouring out of offices still find it comfortable to spend half an hour in the afternoon sun. Valentine’s Day came in the midst of this salubrious atmosphere and the police had to be out in numbers lest high spirits should end up in plain hooliganism. Three days later came Basant Panchami, the festival of spring. Time was when this festival was celebrated with the same enthusiasm which today attaches to Valentine’s Day. Old timers recall how men and women wearing yellow (basanti), symbolic of the spring season, would call on one another and share ‘basanti halwa’ prepared almost in every home. Melas were held in most towns and cities and in popularity stood next only to Dasehra and Baisakhi. Now hardly anyone is seen sporting a yellow dupatta or a yellow turban or a yellow shirt, except those drafted by some die-hard traditionalists for shows which, in any case, attract hardly any visitors. Maybe, this ancient festival will have to find a commercial sponsor to attest the splendour of spring which in Indian literature has been described as “Rituraj” (the king of seasons). Most disciplined Kinshuk, a class VII student of St John’s School, has brought laurels for his school, his parents and his coach by bagging bronze medal in the Individual (under-14), a total cash prize of Rs 3500 and an appreciation certificate for being the most disciplined player in the National School Games (Tennis) held in Ahmedabad at the Ace Tennis Academy. The Chandigarh boys’ team (under-14) event won the silver medal in a draw of 16. They defeated the teams from Punjab and Andhra Pradesh on way to the final. Kinshuk Sharma was the anchor player for his team. He defeated a number of seeded players, both in the team and Individual events in this championship. Kinshuk is a regular trainee at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association . He gives credit for his performance to his coaches, yoga teacher and encouragement from his family. Son of Dr Sudha Sharma, a senior IRS officer, he is also good in studies and extracurricular activities. His father is a senior IPS officer with the Punjab Government. Tailpiece Written on the back of a white Maruti car: "Beware of women — it's a highly dangerous species." Never mind the fact that the driver himself was sitting in the company of four. Perhaps there was no space in the car for more.
— Sentinel |
Relaxing time for Razia Sultan Chandigarh, February 17 Razia said she had been a member of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee for the past two years and also remained general secretary of the women’s wing of the Punjab Pradesh Congress in 1995. Razia further added that it was her desire to serve the people of Malerkotla who, according to her, had remained deprived of even the basic facilities, including good hospitals. They could not get done even their minor works by her predecessors which ultimately forced her to contest from this constituency. Razia said she was born and brought up at Malerkotla and also did her schooling and college education from there. On being questioned
whether her children missed her during the poll days, she said her both children were quite independent and could live without her physical presence. She said it was the total support of her husband, Mr Mustafa which in turn inspired her to work actively for the cause of people. She said she started meeting people about two months back, but it were the last 15 days before the date of polling, which made her more close to the people. Razia said in today’s world the cause of women were always understood better by another woman only. Also women were able to serve people in a honest manner. Her son Akhil (11), student of local St Stephen’s School, who was sitting besides his mother, said he, too, joined his mother in the last days before the election. Akhil said, it was nice to visit various
villages. Her daughter Nishat (13), also a student of St Stephen’s School, said since she had to study for her forthcoming final examinations, but she could not actively participate in her mother’s campaign but she always made it a point to talk to her mother over phone daily and had also seen various video cassettes brought from Malerkotla. On a gap of 11 days between the polling and date of counting, Razia said the period was too long, but she said it was the best time to relax after days of hectic campaigning. When she had visited each and every part of the constituency. She was now hoping to win with comfortable margin and said her nearest rival would be an Independent candidate Ajit Singh. When asked if elected and if made the Minister of Home Affairs, what kind of treatment her husband, a police officer, would be given, she said everyone would be treated equally. |
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Parking contractor threatens to quit Chandigarh, February 17 ‘’The MC can invite a fresh tender with fresh conditions,’’ the parking firm spokesman Satpal told a press conference here today. The threat came a day after registration of a case against firm partners and Haryana Pradesh Youth Congress President Satwinder Singh Sandhu on the complaint of Congress Councillor Chandermukhi Sharma and his brother Surajmukhi Sharma. The spokesman of the contract firm Satpal said if any case was not registered against those who allegedly thrashed his staff member and abused him by his caste, he would go to the National Scheduled Caste Commission to seek justice for the boy. Mr Sharma had charged the staff of the contractor of overcharging and pushing the brother of the councillor. Mr Satpal said the Municipal Corporation had given a direction to delete para two on the parking slip, absolving the contractor of any responsibility for loss to any parked vehicle and abolition of lamination fee. He said he was not charging entry fee as his staff was giving receipts in the parking lot approved by the Municipal Corporation. Mr Satpal said he would wait for the Municipal Corporation’s reply for 60 days, as against a week on the legal notice served by him, as per the provisions of Municipal Corporation Act. He said the HPYC president had nothing to do with the firm and he was merely a friend of one of the partners, who was also a general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress. Asked whether he would like to enter into negotiations with the Municipal Corporation for taking decisions to help improve the system and did not impinge on financial terms of the contract, he said it could be considered. He said he had asked the Municipal Corporation to provide special protection officers at the expenditure of the contractor, but nothing had been done so far in this regard. He charged that certain politicians and traders with vested interests were provoking the people against the parking contractor. Mr Satpal said the police had allegedly acted in partisan manner and let him go around 2.30 a.m. after the dispute while the other party had not yet been booked. He said the Municipal Corporation also seemed to be bothered about charging money from the contractor and had left him to fend for himself against an orchestrated public opinion by vested interests. |
CBI chargesheets bank officer Chandigarh, February 17 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. During the period between 1994 and 1997, the officer misused his official position to defraud the bank of Rs 26.34 lakh by sanctioning loans in the name of various non-existent firms. The charge sheet lists out 14 such instances. In addition, three loans were sanctioned by the officer in the favour of existing firms floated by other accused involved in the conspiracy. The loan amounts varied between 1.25 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. Investigations also revealed that no central returns were sent to the bank’s regional office as required by the bank’s regulations. Further, opinion reports of the borrower as well as the guarantor were not placed on record. A departmental inquiry conducted by bank officials after the matter came to light also revealed irregularities, following which the case was referred to the CBI. A number of documents relating to the loans were also taken into its possession by the CBI and sent to the Government Examiner of Questionable Documents at Shimla for handwriting analysis to link up the evidence.
PANCHKULA TWO BOOKED:
The local police has booked Anil Kumar Gupta and Haji Gupta on charges of consuming liquor at a public place and creating nuisance. |
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Woman run over by vehicle Chandigarh, February 17 The victim, Manjit Kaur was brought to the PGI in the afternoon. She succumbed to her injuries at 4 p.m., the police said here today. |
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