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May 7, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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National
blood policy formulated, finally Chandigarh, May 6 “It is like getting an Oscar”, said Mrs Kanta Saroop Krishen, founder Secretary-General of the society, after receiving a copy of the policy. In an interview with TNS, she turns nostalgic...Memories start to surface. “The year 1972 was a landmark year for us who had chosen to work in the field of voluntary blood donation. In Chandigarh, under the aegis of the Blood Bank Society 150 men and women gathered to establish in India a safe blood transfusion service. They represented all parts of the country and chose to embark upon a new journey to end trading in blood under the umbrella of the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology. The objective was to ring out the old practice of buying blood from those who sold it and to ring in a new system of collecting blood as a gift from one to another”. A target date was set: 1980. In eight years, the resolution said, a voluntary blood donation system should be brought into effect. One year turned into two, into three and finally into eight but the target seemed to slip further and further away. Conference after conference reiterated the same resolution spelt out in different ways in the hope that facts would register with the authorities. Not a dent was made on the government. Those who were in a position to do something sang the same refrain: “Where will blood come from if professionals are banned. People will die. How can paid donors be banned?” No amount of logic, that this practice becomes a killer for both the giver and the receiver, seemed to work. Recommendations adopted by WHO and the International Red Cross also failed to convince the policy makers. Suddenly, an idea struck and a chink opened on a new vista: Common Cause. An NGO, directed by none other than the distinguished public crusader, Mr H.D. Shourie, which had been fighting for the right of the common man. Would Mr Shourie take up the movement to ensure that all blood used in India would conform to international standards of safety? “Yes indeed,” said he, “but give me whatever you have to prepare the case”. Blood Bank Society, Chandigarh, initiated immediate action and asked blood bankers throughout India to send reports, case histories, press cuttings, photographs, complaints — anything that could point to the gravity of the present transfusion practices. Six months later, a file four inches thick was
dispatched to Mr Shourie. And action began. Two years along came the Supreme Court directive. From January 1, 1998, blood would be taken only from voluntary donors and replacement donors would also be phased out gradually. A victory, indeed, earned for the ISBTI by the earnest efforts of an 82-year-old public spirited person — Mr H.D. Shourie. But despite the orders of the Apex Court, blood was still being treated as a commodity of trade. Then, a nine-member delegation met the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, in New Delhi in August last year. The delegation consisting of Dr P.L. Dhand, President, Mr Apurba Ghosh, Secretary-General, Dr Manmohan Kaur, Deputy President, Mr M.L. Sarin, member, Mrs Kanta Saroop Krishen, founder Secretary-General of the ISBTI, and four MPs from West Bengal, emphasised the need for formulating a national blood policy. A directive from the Prime Minister is what perhaps finally moved the government, says Mrs Saroop Krishen. Setting an example in promoting voluntary blood donation in India, the Sant Nirankari Mission played an invaluable role. The personal example set by its spiritual head, Nirankari Baba Hardev
Singhji, and his wife, Mata Sawinderji, saw thousands of followers of the mission inspired to give blood, making the Nirankari Mission a leader in the cause of blood donation. This programme was embraced by the Nirankari Mission in 1987. From 13 camps a year to 127 camps in the year 2001 has been a stupendous achievement, with 2.7 lakh units of blood having been collected throughout India. To be concluded |
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Shetty says
he’s still learning Chandigarh, May 6 The actor was here to deliver scooters of a brand that he endorses to some chosen customers. He arrived at the venue a good two hours late, but the anxious gathering calmed down as soon as he started describing his dream role — a roll full of cheese and spice. The actor who has made a place for himself in Bollywood with films like ‘Ehsas’, ‘Hu Tu Tu’ and ‘Dhadkan’ sees himself as an actor who still has a long way to go. “You should see my first five films to know how bad an actor I was,” says Sunil, with honesty that is rare in the make-belief world of celluloid. Asked where did he find himself after a decade in the industry, he said: “If I was crawling at the initial stage, I am walking now; and working hard for the final run.” A character he would love to play is like the one Amitabh Bachchan played in ‘Sharabi’ — a role full of conflicts and emotions. Director Rajiv Rai had selected Sunil for the role that eventually Sunny Deol played in ‘Vishwatma’. “However, my initial shots were shown to people of the industry, which got me my first role in Balwaan,” he says. Though Sunil’s experiment with comedy in films like ‘Hera Pheri’ did not click at the box office, he is still game for experimenting in future. “My image is of an action hero, but, if something good and unusual comes my way, I will not hesitate to give it a shot,” he says. On the unusualness of ‘Lagaan’, Sunil said: “It was a beautifully made movie and the only reason why it did not receive an Oscar was because the jury was predominantly white. The awards nite was in a land where people are more into baseball than cricket.” Sunil’s coming movies include ‘Awara Pagal Diwana’, ‘Kante’, ‘Pyar, Ishq aur Mohabbat’ and ‘LOC’. In ‘LOC’, a project close to his heart, he plays a simple soldier who gets the PVC in the Kargil War — something like ‘Border’, yet different. His advice to youngsters with Bollywood dreams is: “Once you have made up your mind to be an actor or an actress, you’ll have to be emotionally strong, hardworking and dedicated. It is a world where even your character is determined by the success or failure of your last release.” |
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School in
neighbourhood makes neighbours unfriendly Chandigarh, May 6 Beginning with the traffic which chokes the road right in front of their houses every morning, the problem continues till school gets over in the afternoon. Operating for the past three years, the primary school, which is in the eye of the storm, is likely to shift to its new building, under construction in the same sector, shortly, according to the school authorities. This is, however, disputed by residents who claim that such assurances have been given in the past but nothing has happened so far. They are irked by the problems of noise pollution, of haphazard parking around the premises and the chaos created by such parking and a heavy load of traffic on the surrounding roads. ‘‘We cannot afford to get out of our houses in the mornings and afternoons and are daily awakened by blaring horns each morning. It is just impossible to get out In an attempt to be heard, they have forwarded a letter to the Adviser to Governor, Ms Neeru Nanda, narrating the consequences they have to bear on account of the school. Signed by the residents of the entire area, the letter seeks action from the Administration regarding the closure of the school, especially in view of the high court orders asking schools to stop operations from residential areas. |
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RED CROSS DAY TOMORROW Chandigarh, May 6 The day commemorates the establishment of Red Cross International. As history goes, a Young Swiss businessman, Jean Henry Dunant, was appalled by the condition of the wounded he happened to see in the battle field of Solferino, Italy, in 1859 during the Franco-Austrian war. He immediately arranged relief services with the help of the local community. As a result he wrote a book ‘Memory of Solferino’ suggesting that a neutral organisation be established to aid the wounded soldiers in times of war. Just a year after the release of this book, an international conference was convened in Geneva to consider the suggestions of Henry Dunant and thus the Red Cross Movement was born. International Red Cross Movement was established by Geneva Convention of 1864. The name and the emblem of the movement are derived from the reversal of the Swiss national flag to honour the country in which Red Cross was founded. The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established in 1920. Among its various activities are included disaster relief wherein the IRCS carries out its relief activities not only in India but also in other countries. Hospital services and welfare services are run in military hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers. The Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, in collaboration with the Red Cross Society, UT, will be organising a series of disability prevention camps starting on May 8. |
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SI failed to register case: report Chandigarh, May 6 The body of a 73-year-old man, Rameshwar, had been found in Raipur Khurd near the Airport Chowk. The SI, Ramesh Kumar, had closed the case by simply conducting inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC. In January, some suspects arrested in a separate case of murder revealed that Rameshwar had been killed. Ramesh, posted at the Sector 9 Police Headquarters, was then at the Industrial Area police station. His superiors, the then DSP East, S.C. Sagar, and the SHO, Inspector B.S. Negi, have been exonerated in the inquiry. The report says that Ramesh Kumar failed to register a case of murder after investigations and some documents were also missing from the inquest-proceedings file. It also says that the owner of the farmhouse where the body was found had reported to the police that some items had been stolen from there, but Ramesh failed to register a case even in this regard. |
Aquatic delights for tiny tots Chandigarh, May 6 Strawberry Fields Kindergarten throws open its swimming pool to all its students in May. The weekly watery sojourn is part of the students’ curriculum. Interestingly the teachers too get into the water to help establish higher comfort levels amongst those who are still afraid to get in. Water time is play time and learning time rolled into one as children sing impromptu songs, play interactive games and indulge in group activities, all of which appeal to their innate sense of curiosity and wonder. They bring alive fairy tale characters — an ugly frog turning into a handsome prince, the little mermaid singing a soulful song and the clever monkey getting the better of the scary crocodile. According to Mrs Malhotra, a kindergarten parent, “Never has summer brought such unadulterated happiness and enthusiasm in my little one’s eyes as her forays into the pool. Its thanks to the school that we got around to realising what a water baby she was. We were delaying putting her in a pool wanting her to be more confident of herself, not realising that she was capable of taking care of herself, was quick on the uptake and very clearly she used swimming as a major socialising event. For here, she was playing the role of a seasoned veteran, guiding and coercing the newer entrants to be careful, not to be afraid of the water and to gently shed their inhibitions. Seeing the quiet little one transformed almost into a queen bee was a revelation for us.” The school hopes to tap into this unique watery window of opportunity helping children make the most of it in their early formative years. According to Atul Khanna, Director, Durga Das Foundation, “As a first school for children we feel there is a special stewardship, through which we can aspire to capture the extraordinary influences of a positive aquatic learning experience. With respect for each and every child, you will marvel at the benefits that bubble to the surface over time. Focusing on the infant-toddler’s level of well-being and readiness we can prepare them for boundless joy, self confidence and personal development.” |
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Sidhu seeks transfer to Burail jail Chandigarh, May 6 He moved a plea through his counsel that two of the co-accused in the case, Pammi and Dhira, lodged in the Central Jail, Patiala, were hostile to him and consequently, his life could be in danger. Sidhu was greeted by a group of hostile lawyers and visitors while being taken out of the court by Punjab Police personnel at about 3 p.m. A group of persons gathered on the second floor of the new building passed remarks alleging his involvement in corrupt practices. He was brought from the Central Jail, Patiala, in a Gypsy at about 12.30 p.m but was kept in the vehicle parked in front of the Police Lines near the court building for more than one-and a-half hour. Some persons were allowed to meet him there. He was produced in the court of the UT Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Mr Sanjay Sandher, at about 2.10 pm, where he pleaded before the magistrate to grant him some time to discuss a matter with his advocate. The magistrate accepted his plea and directed the Punjab Police to produce him again before the court at 2.45 p.m. Sidhu, when produced before the court again, moved the above mentioned plea before the court. The other reasons stated by Sidhu for detaining him at the Model Burail Jail were that his counsel could afford to meet him at the Patiala Jail frequently, which deprived him of legal services. He also alleged that once his lawyer, who had come to visit him at Central Jail, had to wait outside for more than an hour. He further pleaded that he had spent most of his life in Chandigarh and therefore he be detained here so that his family members and relatives could meet him there easily. He added that because of fear of the Vigilance Department, his relatives had not been able to meet him at Patiala Jail. Sidhu also moved another application through his counsel for attesting an authority letter in favour of Mr Rajinder Singh, an advocate for taking possession of his house in Sector 39 and other belongings, which had earlier been seized by the Vigilance Bureau. The court issued notice to the Punjab State to file its reply on Sidhu’s plea on May 8. Meanwhile, the court further extended Sidhu’s judicial remand till May 18 in the two aforesaid cases. The accused was arrested by the Vigilance Department, Punjab, on March 26 while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. It was alleged that during the raids, the police had allegedly recovered 14 bottles of foreign liquor, 250 rounds of .12 bore gun and 225 rounds of Springfield rifle from Sidhu’s house in Sector 39. |
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FAUJI BEAT THE only way to keep the memory of war heroes fresh is to raise war memorials in their honour. In India, unlike in the West, a war hero is forgotten the day the war is over. Politicians here are not enamoured of the idea of raising war memorials to honour the brave soldiers who gave their yesterday for nation’s today. In most cases, war memorials are not only constructed but also maintained by the Army. Of many such memorials, one is at Ferozepore which recalls the sacrifices of the brave soldiers of 48 Infantry Brigade units in the 1971 war in the Khemkaran sector. This memorial, called Sehjra War Memorial, was constructed in 1999 by 48 Infantry Brigade to commemorate the famous victory in the battle of Sehjra bulge. The capture of this bulge of 52 sq km on December 6, 1971, eliminated the enemy threat to Ferozepore town and Harike bridge. The battle took a heavy toll on the Army. The then units with 48 Infantry Brigade, which was part of Golden Arrow Division i.e. 1/5GR (FF), 6 Mahar (Borders), 9 Sikh LI, 3 Cavalry and 174 Field Regiment were bestowed with the theatre honour “Punjab 1971” and battle honour “Sehjra” for their gallant action. Besides, six Vir Chakras (VCs), six Sena Medals (SMs) and one Ati Veshisht Sena Medal (AVSM) were awarded to the officers and men of the brigade and its units. Army in Red Fort The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in its affidavit submitted to the Delhi High Court, has said that the Army had not given any concrete commitment to hand over the buildings and land in its control at the Red Fort to it, as per the directions of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974. This writer who was serving in 4 Guards when it was located at the Red Fort from 1957 to 1959 feels that the Army should vacate the historic building. For, it is not possible to enforce stringent security checks on the stream of tourists visiting the national monument every day and even at night. Of the Army units, the main occupant of the Red Fort is the infantry battalion, which provides ceremonial duties at Rashtrapati Bhawan where two or three of its rifle companies are generally billeted. The purpose of locating this unit at the Red Fort is that some troops are always available for internal security (IS) duties in Delhi. Besides, this battalion makes all arrangements for unfurling of the national flag from the ramparts of the Lahori Gate on August 15. This responsibility as well as the security of the Red Fort should more appropriately be given to the police. As regards the IS duties, these can easily be performed by the units from Delhi cantonment. No Army units need to be located in the Red Fort. The infantry battalion should be shifted to the Rashtrapati Bhawan complex. Incidentally, this is what Defence Minister George Fernandes said after the shooting incident by militants in the Red Fort on December 22, 2000: “The security inside the premises is virtually nil as otherwise it would cause a major problem to those who visit this historic place”.
Citizens’ army The Defence Minister George Fernandes said on April 22 that the strength of the Territorial Army (TA) would be doubled by 2007. He also said that it should be made compulsory for the government employees to serve in the TA. The TA, a part-time army, is also known as “citizens’ army”. At present, its total strength is 40,000 and it is composed of 31 infantry battalions and 19 departmental units. The TA units are required during a national emergency to provide the second line of defence by relieving the regular army units of other duties. According to the concept of the TA, every territorial (TA soldier) must have a civil vocation and should come for two months’ training to his unit every year. During this period, he comes under the Army Act. Making serving in the TA compulsory for government employees will inculcate discipline in them. Hopefully, this will also help in controlling the epidemic of corruption in the country to some extent. The creation of 20 per cent reserve of officers in the TA, as accepted by the government, will make up the shortage of company commanders in the infantry battalion. No country can fight a long war without supplementing its regular army with a part-time force. A large country like India needs a bigger part-time army. The TA strength should, therefore, be enhanced at least three times of its present strength. Pritam Bhullar |
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BJYM ‘exposes’ Congress’ misdeeds Chandigarh, May 6 In a joint note, Mr Satinder Singh and Mr Shakti Prakash Devshali, President and General Secretary, respectively, of the BJYM, said that the Congress does not know that ‘shavyatra’ is taken out of own people and not of others. The reference was to the ‘shavyatra of NDA’ taken out by the local unit of the Congress. The BJYM termed ‘Modi Hatao Abhiyaan’ of Congress a total failure and its ‘Sadbhavana Yatras’ an exercise to befool the public. The BJYM alleged that Congress was demanding removal of Modi Government while in its own regime several riots had taken place while the Congressmen had remained mum. The unit claimed that during Congress regimes 278 people were killed in Maharashtra in May 1984; 2220 lives were lost in Delhi after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984; 237 killed in Gujarat in July 1985; 379 people were killed in Uttar Pradesh riots in May, 1987 and 982 people were killed in Bhagalpur in October 1989. Meanwhile, in a note, Mr T.R. Kapoor, Office Secretary of the local unit of Bharatiya Janata Party said that Mr Sangh Priya Gautam, who has been appointed in charge (Prabhari) of the party for Chandigarh and Punjab would address a press conference on May 19 in the city. Mr Gautam is National General Secretary of BJP and Member of Parliament. |
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Cong councillors should quit: Front
Chandigarh, May 6 Jointly addressing a press conference here today, Samajwadi Party chief Shivi Jaiswal along with CPM secretary Mohmmed Shehnaz, Janata Party president Ajay Jagga and Janata Dal (Secular) general secretary Rajendra Mohan Kashyap demanded names of those councillors who were allegedly pressurising officials for ‘’vested interests.’’ They said the Congress would do a great service to the people to reveal names of obstructionist officials who are allegedly blocking development. The front leaders expressed their surprise on the BJP keeping mum on the issue alleging it showed the former ruling party had entered into a “dirty deal” with officials and was afraid of being exposed. They said the Congress had admitted its failure to carry out development in the city during the past four months of its term and should resign on moral grounds for failure to run the Municipal Corporation. They demanded that Ms Joshi Mayor of the MCC, be booked for the abetment to crime of inciting the people to encroach government land. The leaders accused the local MP Pawan Bansal of being involved in the alleged crime of the Mayor by supporting her move. Genuine displaced persons should be rehabilitated and there was a need of an inquiry into the colony bunglings by officials who allegedly had taken land in these colonies in the name of the poor and rented them out, the front leaders added. |
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Fire in Sector 30 house Chandigarh, May 6 Mr O.P. Veer, resident of House number 425, Sector 30, working as general manager in one of the Central Government offices in the city, was inside the house with his family when they saw smoke coming out of a store in their house. According to the family, a dhoop batti had been lighted in the store in the evening which might have led to the store room catching fire. Since there were large number of clothes, bedding etc stored in the room, the material immediately caught fire. The damage, according to the family’s estimate was close to Rs 30,000. None of the family members were hurt in the fire. The Fire Department had received a call at 9.25pm from Mr Veer. Two fire tenders from Sector 17 office and from the Sector 32 office were then immediately dispatched. A minor fire was also reported from a residential house in Sector 41. A fire tender from Sector 38 was dispatched but information was received that the fire had been brought under control.
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Sites’ auction gets lukewarm response SAS Nagar, May 6 According to the information, two marble sites, five timber sites and seven iron trade sites were auctioned. Rest of the sites could not be sold as there were few takers. The prospective bidders complained of high reserved prices. |
Bid to smuggle charas into jail Chandigarh, May 6 According to sources, the accused had gone to meet his brother, Balbir, a Chandigarh police constable who is lodged there after he surrendered to the authorities five days ago in a case under the Excise Act. When Bahadur Ram was searched in the interview room as per norms before he could meet his brother, the jail authorities found a piece of paper on his person containing the charas. The jail authorities intimated the Chandigarh police, who seized the charas and arrested him.
Woman stabbed A resident of Dadu Majra, Balbir Kaur, was reportedly stabbed by Chandan Singh, a resident of the same colony, on Sunday evening. She received injuries on her left armpit and was admitted to the PGI. The assailant is reported to be the father-in-law of Balbir’s sister. Old enmity between the two over the marriage of Balbir’s granddaughter is said to be the cause. The police has registered a case of attempt to murder.
Harassment for dowry A resident of Panchkula and his family members have been booked after a resident of Sector 47, Archana Rai, reported that she was harassed and maltreated by her in-laws and husband, to whom she had been married in December, 2000, to bring more dowry. After preliminary investigations following the directions of a local magistrate, the police has registered a case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC.
Theft case Sector 39 resident Sohan Saroop has reported that an unknown person came to his place to have a try ride on his Luna, but he rode away and did not return. The police has registered a case of criminal breach of trust and theft.
Documents stolen A resident of Amritsar, Asang Chand, has reported that his briefcase and some documents were stolen from his car, which was parked at the Chandigarh Club. A case has been registered.
Mobile phone picked Panchkula resident H.R. Garg has reported that his mobile phone has been stolen from the Sector 26 grain market. The police has registered a case.
Proclaimed offender held The local police today arrested a proclaimed offender wanted in a case dating back to 1982. The accused, Gurdev Singh, a resident of Hoshiarpur, has been remanded in judicial custody. A case against Gurdev had been registered in the city on May 5, 1982, for cheating and forgery. He used to run an immigration and passport service in Sector 21. He had collected about Rs 4 lakh from several person and absconded with the money. Three others wanted in this case are still at large. In-laws booked Panchkula The case under Sections 406, 498-A, 504 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against Ramdia, Fullo Devi and Nimmo Devi, husband, mother-in-law and sister-in-law respectively, of the complainant. A Chandigarh resident, Ramvati, has also been booked in the case. Earlier, Sonia had filed a petition in the Panchkula court and following the directions of the court, the case has been registered by the police.
Held for gambling Two residents of Seuri village — Lok Nath and Surinder Kumar — have been caught red-handed while gambling. According to the police, the accused were arrested from Dhumantra Mahadev Temple and the wine shop near Surajpur on Sunday. The police also recovered Rs 489 from their possession.
Cheating case The Economic Offences Cell of the Panchkula police has booked Shushil Kumar Kansal, a resident of Sector 4, for cheating Mr Parveen Kumar of Sector 6 of Rs 12 lakh. Shushil has been booked under Sections 420, 467 and 471 of the IPC on the directions of the court. Earlier, the complainant had filed a petition in the court alleging that Shushil had cheated him by withdrawing Rs 12 lakh from his account after preparing fake documents in his name.
Held for eve-teasing In a case of eve-teasing, the police has arrested Chhotu Ram, a resident of Mansa Devi Temple, under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code. He has been arrested on the complaint of Mr Anil Paswan. In his complaint, Mr Paswan had alleged that Chhotu Ram had misbehaved with his daughter and passed obscene remarks at her. |
PNB 7-day
working branch opened Chandigarh, May 6 The inaugural function was presided over by Senior Regional
Manager, Chandigarh region, Mr V.J. Mattoo. He said: “Punjab National Bank is the first commercial bank to start operations in the
city. The bank has strategic strengths in North India and had been proactive to the customer needs.” “Starting of seven-day working at the branch is aimed at meeting the banking needs of the customers of the
area. The bank was already providing extended customer service upto 4 p.m. in all computerised branches in the city. He also announced sanction of tele banking facility for the branch and assured the customers that ATM will be installed in the area within six months,” added Mr Mattoo. Mr Mattoo further said recently Punjab National Bank has inaugurated its first signature branch at Sector 26 with added facility of ATM. Note-counting machine and coin-dispensing machine are other high tech attractions for customers. The branch has seven days’ banking service and express draft counter for quick issuance of drafts. |
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