The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Chhibber opens Career Options
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26
The four-day educational and career festival, Career Options-2002, was inaugurated by former Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen BKN Chhibber (retd), at Lajpat Rai Bhavan, Sector 15, here today.

Organised by the All-India Management Association, a number of educational stalls of participating institutions were put up at the fair. General Chhibber went around the fair and interacted with the participants. He appreciated the efforts of the organisers in selecting the right career at the right time. He also praised the organisers for creating awareness on drug addiction and AIDS control.

As many as 30 educational institutions covering alternative avenues possible for school and college-going students are participating. Among the leading business schools are Amity, EMPI and Fortune Institute of International Business among others. For career counselling in immigration and opportunity available outside India was represented by INZ consultants.

Other career counselling stalls were those of tourism, fashion, air services, foreign languages to name a few. The local chapter of the All-India Management Association also participated in the event.

Lively open sessions were conducted by the centre for Electronic Design and Technology of India, Mohali, EMPI Business School, Amity Business School for solving the problems and removal of doubts of the students.

2-day contests conclude
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 26
To select representatives for the national-level Bal Shree Camp —2002, the Bal Bhavan, Sector 23, organised a two-day local-level competitions on creative art, creative writing, scientific innovation and creative performance which concluded here today.

About 150 students from various schools in the city took part in today’s competitions — creative writing and scientific innovations. The creative writing contest was won by Amrita Bhattacharya from DAV Public School, Sector 8, followed by Mukul Kaura from the same school and Rohit Bhall from Ajit Karam Singh International Public School, Sector 41, on the second and third positions, respectively.

In the scientific model making contest, Mohit Rodeja from Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, came out the winner and Aditya Singh from St. Kabir School, Sector 26, and Sachidananad from Government Model High School, Sector 29, on the second and third position.

The creative art contest was won by Sahil Aggarwal, Government Model School, Sector 28, followed by Vasudha from Shishu Niketan Senior Secondary School, Sector 22. The third position was bagged by Dharamvir from Government Primary School, Palsora Colony.

In the performing art category , Divanshi Mishra from Saupin’s School, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was declared the winner while the second and the third position went to Kriti Puri from Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, and Kartik from Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sector 27, respectively.

The competition was open for students between the age group of 9 to 16 years. The first and second winners of all the four competitions will be representing in the regional-level Bal Shree competition which is going to be organised shorty.

Magical treat for kindergarten kids
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26
Students and siblings of Strawberry Fields Kindergarten today had a visitor in the shape of Mr Pant. He was not a regular run-of-the-mill guest. He had come with a bagful of tricks, an armload of jokes and a cloak full of wisdom. This modern-day magician has a background in corporate marketing, having just taken VRS from the Birla group of industries.

The evening was special. Set in the sylvan green surroundings of the school, the magic show was a treat for the over-awed, starry-eyed little ones. Amidst incessant clapping he made a pigeon disappear, elongated his hands endlessly, transferred milk into different containers in the twinkling of an eye and performed card tricks while gently talking to the children. Minus the flashy trademark robes and ornate head-gear associated with most magicians, he was like a friendly compassionate uncle or better still like the kabuliwala of yore, who had a bagfull of goodies for each of his tiny friends.

What started as a hobby has now burgeoned into an alternate vocation and Mr Pant is enjoying his stint as a magician for it brings him in direct contact with a cross section of people. His unique ability to connect with his audiences and come down to their level be it children, company executives of the general masses makes his art stand out. He comes from Kolkata, a city that has produced India’s best magicians like PC Sarkar or Shankar but he has his own distinct style and conviction, which makes him stand apart. According to him magic is nothing but a refined form of “haath ki safai”. According to him “any magician who can go up on stage and claim that he can magically produce bagfuls of currency is lying. For if indeed he had that ability would he not be minting his own money instead of coming in front of an audience and performing.” Tongue in cheek he also says rather honestly that no magician in recent times has really created his own brand of magic. Whatever exists is either copied or learnt from a guru of adapted from the foreign masters.

Mr Pant laments the status of magic in India, saying in the USA and the UK magic is a performing art. There are magic clubs and international brotherhood associations. There is tremendous opportunity to share, learn and imbibe via literature, newsletters, equipment and aids. In India even if one is enterprising and wants to strengthen one’s repertoire by importing some magic components one is slapped with a heavy duty at customs. He says, “this explains the almost non-existent growth of magic as an art and craft form and you have not just the same old tricks being performed ad nauseum but also an untrained lot of magicians who are not rooted in reality. Their presentation is flat and jokes and smart one-liners often offend the sensibilities of the audience.”

He terms his foray into the world of magic as a way to entertain. Till yesterday he was marketing Birla products and today he is marketing his own self. He finds the northern belt particularly receptive. He has already been invited to Gujarat Ambuja Cements in Himachal besides having a long list of clients in Solan, Ropar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. A chance meeting with Atul Khanna, Director of the Durga Das Foundation, and he found himself in the company of children. Mr Khanna feels: “I am always on the lookout for giving children any new input which can make them think, visualise and imagine. Magic is something that fascinates even adults. We can no longer promise children a world of magical make-believe but surely we can create those special magical moments in their lives.”

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Complete Kaunke case probe in four months
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26
After going through a report submitted by a committee of two officers, including a Director-General of Police, suggesting further investigation into the Kaunke disappearance case — and an application seeking six months’ time — a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the state of Punjab and other respondents to complete the probe within four months.

In their report, DGP-cum-Commandant General of Punjab Home Guards Samar Vijay Singh and Principal Secretary to Punjab Government Brajendra Singh, stated: “We have perused the inquiry file and the relevant record. As per the statements of the complainant party Akal Takht Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke was taken into custody by the local police of Jagraon police station on December 25, 1992, from Kaunke Kalan village, whereas according to the version of the Jagraon police, he was taken into custody on January 2, 1993, in a case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Police Force and while he was being escorted by a police party headed by Inspector Gurmit Singh, the party was ambushed by militants near Kannia village and he escaped from custody.... Further investigation should be done by a team of competent officials under the direct supervision of an officer not below the rank of Inspector-General of Police”.

Seeking time, government pleader had added: “In view of the observations made by the committee, the case was referred for further investigation to the IGP, Jalandhar Zone. The IGP vide his letter has requested for six months’ time to complete the investigation and he has constituted an investigating team of competent police officers. The team will report the progress of investigation on a fortnightly basis to the IGP. It is, therefore, prayed that the application may kindly be accepted”.

Earlier, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, accepted an apology rendered by Principal Secretary S.K. Sinha. The High Court had, on the last date of hearing, come down heavily on the state authorities for demonstrating disrespect for court proceedings in the case after observing that no purpose was being served by acting upon undertakings given by government counsel.

In his petition, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, had sought directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents to make public the report of inquiry conducted by Punjab’s Additional Director-General of Police regarding the alleged murder of the Jathedar.

The petitioner had further stated that the Jathedar was shown to have escaped from police custody on January 3, 1993, and since then his whereabouts were not known. In all probability, he had been killed, the petitioner had claimed. His counsel had contended that the ADGP, in statements after submitting the report to the then Chief Minister, had stated that he was being pressurised to giving findings against the authorities.

PIL on recruitment scam held up

A public interest litigation accusing the government of being involved in “Operation-Coverup”, instead of revealing the truth in the PPSC scam, failed to make any headway after a Division Bench of the High Court was today informed that Solicitor-General, who was to address the court, was busy in the Supreme Court because of presidential reference on the state of Gujarat.

Appearing before a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, junior counsel from Delhi said the Solicitor-General, as a result of the reference, would not be able to come. Accepting his request after confirming from the petitioner that he had no objections, the Bench adjourned the case.

In his petition, advocate Rupinder Khosla had earlier claimed that the transfer of officers belonging to the intelligence wing in the middle of the investigations “may have been done to thwart the probe”. Giving details, he had asserted: “So far as the strategy of emasculating the intelligence wing was concerned, the coup de grace was delivered when its head, Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) A.P. Bhatnagar, along with three colleagues was unceremoniously shunted out”.

Sidhu’s plea dismissed

A Division Bench of the High Court today dismissed a petition filed by Punjab Public Service Commission’s suspended chairman Ravinderpal Singh Sidhu seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents to provide him with a copy of documents enclosed along with the challan in English.

In his petition, taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Ms Justice Kiran Anand Lall, the petitioner had contended that he was unable to read documents in Punjabi.

Murder sentence upheld

In just over three years after five accused were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for committing the murder of Haryana’s former minister Mani Ram Godara’s son, along with another relative, a Division Bench of the High Court today upheld the orders of the lower court.

The accused — Raja Ram and his three sons, Rajinder Kumar, Radha Krishan and Ravinder Kumar, along with two other relatives — had been booked by the police for murder and other offences under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. According to complainant Neki Ram, the motive behind the offence was that Rajinder Kumar was unwilling to “rehabilitate” his wife, Indu Bala, a daughter of Mr Godara, by giving share to her, along with her two children. He had added that the accused, along with three accomplices, had allegedly committed the murder of Mr Godara’s son, Lok Raj, and a relative Atma Ram, “on account of a land dispute”.

After going through the arguments, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice R.L. Anand and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta, observed: “Counsel for the appellants contended that entry in the roznamcha was changed under pressure of Mani Ram Godara.... The submission cannot be accepted. It is a lapse on the part of the police. There is nothing on record to suggest that he influenced the police the substitution of the roznamcha.... We are not inclined to hold that he was instrumental in influencing the police or that the roznamcha was changed at his instance”.

Pleas dismissed

Disposing of a bunch of petitions seeking directions to the state of Haryana and other respondents to quash orders granting permission to close down Haryana State Minor Irrigation (Tubewells) Corporation, a Division Bench on Thursday directed payment of salaries to the employees till August 31.

Delivering the verdict, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice S.S. Saron directed that the Board of Directors would treat the writ petition as a representation and they, besides the government, would take a fresh decision within 45 days. The decision would, however, be kept in abeyance for a week, the Judges added. The Bench had earlier stayed the operation of an order whereby the services of employees were terminated.

DISTRICT COURTS
Rape accused remanded in judicial custody
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 26
Ram Lal and Baldev, two suspects in the rape case of a Shimla-based girl, was today remanded in judicial custody by a local court. Meanwhile, Ram Lal has filed an anticipatory bail plea in an another case registered against him in the Sector 31 police station on cheating charges. He has claimed in the plea that the UT police wanted to make him approver in another case pending against him but as he has refused, the police had threatened him to implicate in other cases. He was booked by the UT police on September 24, 2002, under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC. The bail plea moved by him will likely to come up for hearing tomorrow.

On September 25, the UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh, had issued a notice to the State to file a reply on a plea moved by Ram Lal in a rape case registered against him.

Police custody for two

Gurdhayan Singh and Swaran Singh, two suspects arrested by the UT police in a murder case of former sarpanch of Khuda Ali Sher, Pal Singh alias Pala, was today remanded in police custody by the UT Judicial Magistrate till September 28. Other accused arrested by the police in this case had already been in judicial custody in Burail jail.

Judicial remand

A suspect, Nasib Chand, arrested by the UT police near Mani Majra on September 25 evening for carrying 10 kg of poppy husk was today remanded in judicial custody by a local court. The suspect was arrested by the police yesterday for carrying a 20 packets of 500 gm each. The police has registered a case against him under Section 15 of the NDPS Act in the Industrial Area Police Station.

Anticipatory bail

An anticipatory bail plea moved by an IAS officer from Haryana, Sanjiv Kumar, came up for hearing in the court of UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh, in a case registered against him of embezzlement of funds and forgery along with other persons. After hearing the arguments on his bail plea, the Judge reserved order for tomorrow.

Claiming that the applicant was falsely implicated in the case, his counsel argued that by getting books printed from the private printing press, the applicant had saved the amount sanctioned by the World Bank for the purpose. He said Haryana printing press had been charging more amount than the applicant had paid to the private printing press to get the work done.

Sodhi Ram’s plea

A local court has accepted an application moved by the Controller of Examination, Panjab University, Mr Sodhi Ram, to visit other places in the country for official work. He had filed a plea in the court of UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh.

DRT to hold Lok Adalat on Sept 28
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 26
The Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT), Chandigarh, in a press note issued here today, has informed that the next Lok Adalat would be held on September 28 for the cases pertaining to the Central Bank of India.

It has claimed that during the last one year, it had settled 483 cases worth Rs 163 crore, among banks and borrowers though the total recoverable amount in these cases was around Rs 243 crore.

According to the press release, during the past one month, the DRT conducted bank-wise Lok Adalats to settle more than 200 cases. It included 53 cases of Oriental Bank, 46 cases of Punjab National Bank and 106 cases of the State Bank of India. It would help banks to realise about Rs 35 crore against the recoverable amount of Rs 50 crore.

The DRT, Chandigarh, has now proposed to make Lok Adalat a regular feature to enable the borrowers to settle their cases and thus save time, money and litigation cost. The banks and financial institutions have been asked to furnish list of such cases, which they propose to settle through the mutual consent.