The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

300 students awarded degrees
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, March 20
As many as 300 students who passed their graduation in April last year, were awarded degree certificates at the annual convocation and prize distribution function of Degree College, Panchkula, here today.

Besides this, 269 students were honoured with College Colours for their outstanding performance in academics, sports, cultural and other co-curricular activities.

Of the 300 degree holders, 23 students were from science stream, 100 from commerce, 170 from arts while 7 from honours group.

Ms Anuradha Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary of Higher Education Department, Haryana, who was the chief guest, advised the students to fix a target and work hard to achieve it.

Earlier, the Principal, Mr Bhim Singh Dahiya, read out the annual report of the. college and highlighted the achievements in different fields. He also appealed to the students to participate in curricular activities besides studies.

Private schools to file SLP
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, March 20
The SAS Nagar Schools Association has decided to file an SLP in the Supreme Court against the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the functioning of private schools from residential buildings.

A general body meeting of the association here authorised Mr J.C. Nagi, general secretary of the association, to file the petition.

Mr Bir Devinder Singh, MLA, told the meeting that it might not be possible for the government to allow the functioning of private schools from residential buildings for all time. However, it could consider giving such permission for a period of one year to enable the schools concerned to make alternative arrangements.

Regarding the suggestion of association members on the formulation of a government policy to accommodate the existing schools by allotting plots measuring from two kanals to one acre to them, the legislator suggested that the institutions should set up a committee of four or five members which should remain in touch with him to pursue the matter with the government.

Add honey to your diet, say scientists
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20
Employment potential of the small-scale industry in the Indian context was highlighted by Prof A.S.Atwal at the ongoing UGC working conference on ‘Entomological Research — Progress and Problems’ at Panjab University here today. The conference is being organised by the Department of Zoology.

Professor Atwal, the pioneer of beekeeping in the country is also credited for the introduction of a European honey-bee, Apis-mellfera. He emphasised on making honey a part of diet instead of medicine only. Dr K.K.Sharma from the Indian Lac Research Institute, Ranchi, highlighted the use of lac as completely eco-friendly product of high commercial utility.

Dr V.V.Ramamurthy, a principal scientist in the entomology division of the IARI, New Delhi, emphasised the need for diversifying taxonomical approaches in order to understand the diversity of insect life.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Prof V.K.Sehgal from Pant Nagar University of Agriculture Science, Prof A.S.Sohi from Punjab Agriculture University and Dr Amit Nath from Solan. The problem of sources of pollution in water bodies and its dangers to aquatic fauna was discussed at length by Prof M.S.Johal.

Prof G.P.Sharma, an acclaimed scientist, was honoured by Prof R.P.Bambah, a former Vice Chancellor of PU and a trustee of the Tribune Trust, at the special programme later in the evening. A professor emeritus, Professor Sharma was given the Lifetime Achievement award by the Zoological Society of India. A cultural programme was organised by the students in the department auditorium.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Appointment of corpn chiefs withheld
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Punjab Government not to appoint a chairman for the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation, or of any other similar body, till a rational criterion regarding such appointments was framed.

The directions were issued by a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar, on a petition filed by the Punjab State Forest Development Corporation Employees Union seeking probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation, or by any other authority, into the affairs of the corporation.

In their petition against the state of Punjab, the Secretary for Forests and Wildlife Preservation, besides other respondents, the union members had alleged financial irregularities, administrative vindictiveness, favouritism and nepotism. Besides the employees were also being threatened with transfer to remote places by the then chairman.

Refund deposits with interest, HUDA told

Coming down heavily on Haryana Urban Development Authority and another respondent for not taking step to either defend itself in the Supreme Court or to get the plots vacated from illegal occupants, Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court on Wednesday directed them to refund the entire amount deposited by the successful bidders with interest at the rate of nine percent.

Delivering the verdict on petition filed by Mr Hari Niwas and 15 other petitioners of Mandi Adampur in Hisar, Mr Justice Gill ruled: "It is clear that the petitioners were not at fault and were willing to take the possession of the plots but the respondents, it seems, did not take steps to have the plots vacated from the persons illegally occupying the same and did not appear before the Supreme Court. Thus the respondents were clearly at fault and for the fault of the respondents, the petitioners cannot be punished".

FC, Secy summoned in fertiliser scam

A Division Bench of the High Court has asked the Financial Commissioner (Development) and Secretary in the Department of Agriculture to appear and explain why a reply had not been filed in the fertiliser scam and also why the present incumbent was “being allowed to continue in the office of the director despite the fact that a regular departmental inquiry had already been instituted by the government against him”.

In a ruling, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice M.M. Kumar, observed: “At this stage we do not want to comment on the merits of the manner in which the Vigilance Department has conducted the inquiry, and the obstructions put by public representatives as well as the government officers in the finalisation of the inquiry and the refusal of the government to sanction the prosecution of the officers named in the vigilance report. But we are certainly disturbed by the fact that the written statement has not been filed despite more than four months having lapsed”.

Fixing April 4 as the next date of hearing in the case, the Judges concluded: “Punjab’s Advocate-General should also look into the matter and give proper advise to the government in the matter”.

Crime Branch told to probe gang rape

Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court today directed the Crime Branch of the Punjab Police to look into the allegations of gang rape, levelled by a Ropar district resident, in accordance with the law within four months of receiving a copy of the order.

The state, in its reply, had earlier claimed that action was not taken in the matter in view of a statement made by the petitioner before the Executive Magistrate. After going through the record and hearing arguments, Mr Justice Goel significantly ruled that the provisions of Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code were applicable to the recording of statement by a Judicial Magistrate or a Metropolitan Magistrate but not by an Executive Magistrate.

In her petition, the victim had earlier alleged that four persons, on the pretext of getting her a job, came over to her house in her husband's absence and asked her to accompany them before committing rape.

Six freed in contract killing case
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, March 19
A local court today discharged Sant Parkash, Balwant Rai Vashisht and four others in a contract killing case. The six were discharged by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, after the prosecution failed to prove the charges against them as the complainant and other witnesses of the case turned hostile.

It was alleged that Balwant Rai Vashisht and his brother, Sant Kumar, had hired Bittu through one of their employees to kill the complainant Harjinder Singh. A deal had been struck for Rs 10 lakh. A sum of Rs 3 lakh had allegedly been paid in advance to Bittu. It was further alleged that Bittu had introduced two other men to the accused, who were to execute the job.

The three accused had reportedly lured Harjinder Singh on the pretext of helping him procure timber at a lower rate. The three accused took him to a township in Punjab.

Beant Singh case

The statement of the Director of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory(CFSL), Dr R.S Verma, was recorded before District and the Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, at a special court room in the Model Burail Jail here today.

Mr Verma stated that he was called by the CBI Joint Director to his office in Sector -30 on September 8, 1995, where he was introduced to DSP, S. Parsad.

Mr Verma further added that the CBI official informed him that one of the accused Gurmeet Singh had made a statement that he along with others had prepared a human bomb in his house in house number 981, Phase-4, SAS Nagar.

Mr Verma added that thereafter he along with the CBI official went to the accused’s house and recovered some articles which found to be RDX. The case has been adjourned for tomorrow.

IGP’s son acquitted

Sanjay Narwal, son of Inspector- General of police, Haryana, Mr L.D. Narwal, was acquitted by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, today in a murder case. It was alleged that Sanjay, had committed the murder of his wife Geeta in Surya Motel Sector-22. During the course of trial, Sanjay denied that Geeta was his wife.

The complainant, father of the deceased, Sadhu Ram, had alleged that Sanjay had called his wife, Geeta, from Kurukshetra to solve their marital problems. On November 4, Geeta stayed in the motel. The accused visited the motel and poisoned her tea. On November 5, Geeta died in the Sector 16 General Hospital. The case against the accused was registered under Section 302 of the IPC on November 5, 1997. The judge had acquitted the accused as the witnesses had turned hostile.

2 sent to judicial custody

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested two persons along with 5 kg of heroin worth Rs 5 crore.

Rajinder Singh of Chogawan village and Balwinder Singh of Bagrian village under Gharinda police station, were remanded in judicial custody till April 3 by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C. L. Mohal here today.

The accused were nabbed on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur road near Hallo Majra. They were carrying the contraband in a red-light fitted white Contessa car bearing registration number PB04-C-5761.

A report from Amritsar quoting the DRI Amritsar Deputy Director, Mr B.S. Nunwal, said the seven packets of the contraband had been hidden in a carved out grove in the dashboard.

The contraband was being brought from Kotakpur to Chandigarh.

CULTURE

Lally talks of fashion for Arclights
Tribune News Service

Jasminne and Lally Viirk, founders of Arclights, the Academy of Grooming and Applied Arts, pose with Pranav Awasthi, MD, Glitz Modelling and make up artiste Yasmin during the launch function at Sector 34-A on Wednesday afternoon.
— A Tribune photograph

Chandigarh, March 20
If all goes well with Arclights, the Academy of Grooming and Applied Arts, which was launched in Sector 34-A this afternoon, the city will soon have its date with glamour. Unlike what one has been witnessing in the past, the launch of this academy being promoted by celebrated models Lally Virk and wife Jasminne, was more about business than about hype.

Shorn of pretensions, the day was about the Academy promoters coming straight to the point. Helping them put across details of the courses to be offered at the Academy were experienced people from the field, including managing director of Glitz Modelling, Delhi, Mr Pranav Awasthi and Yasmin, the most reputed make up artiste, who also happens to be hairstylist Sylvie’s sister.

After a short presentation on the life and achievements of Lally Viirk and Jasminne, who have featured in a host of films and serials, apart from celebrated ad campaigns like Raymonds, JK Tyres, Stic pens, et al, the talk was primarily focused on the contents of the courses to be offered at Arclights.

Talking about the project, Lally Viirk did not fail to mention that the North abounded in beauty but lacked in direction. “And hence the need to establish an academy which will have a course well suited for the contemporary times.

Since we have been through the thick and thin of this industry, we know what sells best here. And we are working towards a professional set up which will equip aspirants to take on this field with confidence. Myself and Jasminne will handle 70 per cent of the course. For the rest we will call experts.”

Arclights will also have tie-ups with Australia, France and some other European countries for placement of models abroad. The Academy will also focus on video shoots, script writing and other production details. Said Lally Viirk, “For post production facilities we will have to depend on expertise available in Mumbai until we evolve a system here.”

The module will comprise two courses — modelling and applied arts, grooming and personality development. The first course will include an introduction to the entire module, self grooming, dressing sense, presentation techniques, wardrobe selection. Public speaking, diet and nutrition will also be a part of this course which will finally cater to modelling as an industry at large. As Jasminne Viirk explained, “Modelling is not just about taking the ramp. It requires a wide range of talent in varied age groups. We need six-year olds and also 60-year olds. We will attempt to provide a direction to the scattered talent of North.”

Adding his bit, Pranav Awasthi of Glitz Modelling said, “We did not think twice before tying up with Arclights. Simply because these people have tremendous experience in the field and they carry a certain reputation. They are here to stay. Our role comes in at the level of placements. We have faith in the richness of North, which any day sends across more beautiful professionals than any other region of the country. With our huge network, we will provide the much-needed placement support to those who pass out from Arclights.”

The second course will emphasise on minute details like posture and deportment, housekeeping, spoken English, hairstyling techniques and skin care. While the first batch (maximum incumbency will be 24) is being developed, the schedule is expected to start by the first week of April. Those interested in registering with the Academy can visit its office, nears Blues discotheque in Sector 34, or call at 648088, 667088.

Handicrafts mela at Kala Gram
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20
For once, Kala Gram is playing host to huge crowds and the reason for the same is not far to seek...on display at the sprawling compound of Kala Gram are arts and crafts selected from a host of Indian states...right from Rajasthan and Gujarat to Orissa and West Bengal.

The authorities concerned have done well to bring a huge variety of Indian crafts to the city. Although it is for the first time that a crafts fair of such a level is being held at Kala Gram, the same is attracting large crowd for its richness and range. The artisans are genuine and are straight from the villages. For this very reason, their works and presentations are genuine too.

Spread all over the stalls are products of great designs. At some places the craftsperson's could be seen showing their talent live. The products from the desert land abound the present collection. Also on display also are jewellery products designed intricately and hangings embellished with folk motifs from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The bamboo magic is also being witnessed, with most visitors camping near the furniture outlets. In the section of furniture itself there is a huge variety on the display.

Block-printed bedcovers, bedsheets and hand-embroidered cushions are also a common feature all over the fair. Handicraft items like durees are also quite a rage with the visitors. Among the decorative items the range is immense. The garment range and the various terracota artifacts are also worth a pick.

Apart from the routine display, the fair today also featured some great music coming from the one of its kind nagara band of this region. A group of five instrumentalists filled the ambience with loud beats, as they performed on their nagaras outside the Kala Gram. No wonder they helped attract large crowd today at the venue.

A tale of torn hearts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20
Dr Atmajit’s play Main taan ek sarangi haan, which was staged for the second time at Tagore Theatre today, has certainly grown since it was last presented. No wonder it is one of the four plays selected for a festival of theatre in Delhi.

The story grows with three central characters Geeta, Meena and Pal, who are the best of friends. Dejected with the social mess, the characters share bitter experiences with one another. The idea is to bare the social fabric which is shorn of sympathy and sensitivity.

While Geeta has grown up with childhood bruises, Meena has borne the brunt of an illicit relationship her mother had with another man. Pal has also had her share of grief at the hands of a male dominated social fabric.

Music only enhances the melancholy this play aims at projecting. Rendered by Shalini, Ritu and Rakhi the title song touches the heart deeply and ends meaning and relevance to the use of sarangi in the title of this play. Finally, the script is driven home by the characters played by Morakeen, Sangeeta and Jaspal Deol who assume the form of sarangis and put across their sadness...