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| Wednesday,
October 16, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Dasehra festivities light up
city Chandigarh, October 15 For witnessing the grand finale, a large number of residents had thronged the venues. As the effigies caught fire, they moved ahead to witness “the symbolic end of the evil”. The rush was no deterrent at the venues as people jostled their way through crowd. Some, however, had to pay a price for their enthusiasm as pick-pockets did brisk business at the entrances. Excitement had started to build up much before the sunset not only among the little ones, but also among their parents. As the clock struck five, they left the protective seclusion of their residences for visiting the venues spread throughout the length and breath of the city. Haphazardly, they parked their vehicles all around the venues. The honking passers-by were ignored as people came out of their cars and vans to look at the effigies. Some stood next to the cars, others climbed up the railing. The little ones screamed and shouted asking for permission to sit on the roof of the cars. Others stood in the middle of the roundabouts. Little wonder, within minutes bottlenecks were created making it difficult for the commuters to pass. The problem was worse on the road dividing Sector 17 and 22, Sector 16 and 17, Sector 33 and 34. The Sector 17 Parade Ground was the venue of prime celebrations. As the burning arrow pierced through the heart of Ravana, the crowd cheered from the rooftop of adjoining buildings. Those who could not make it to the roof top, climbed up the bus shelter. As rockets flew in all directions showering sparklers, they clapped and screamed in excitement. Among the visitors were Ricky and Beth from Germany. They too were elated. “We have seen fireworks so many times,” they asserted, “but this kind of excitement we have never witnessed”. The road outside the Parade Ground was nothing less than a village fair. As the residents tried to push their way back home, they were lured by the roadside vendors offering bows and arrows, besides bangles, bindis and plastic toys. The effigies were also burnt in green belts cutting through the middle of the sectors, even in the residences. Sector 46 Dasehra celebrations also attracted “impressive crowd”. The rush was no less in the city markets. In mood to celebrate the occasion, the residents, dressed up in their festive best, thronged the sweet shops to buy jalebis, samosas and pakodas. For several minutes, they had to wait for their turn to buy the coupons. The shops, too, had been decked up for the occasion. Illuminated by colourful blinking lights, they attracted the customers till late night.
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Dasehra celebrated with fervour SAS Nagar, October 15 The festival was celebrated at two places in the town. The main function was held in Phase-VIII. Mr P. Sivaram, Executive Director, Finance, PTL, and Executive Director, Finance and Marketing, Swaraj Mazda Ltd, was the chief guest. Mr Kulwant Singh, President of the Municipal Council, presided over the function. The second function was organised by Shri Ram Leela and Dasehra Committee in Phase I where Mr Gopal Krishan Chatrath, a former MLA, was the chief guest. Chandigarh, October 15 The decision to call another meeting of the F&CC was taken after there was no bid for the ground in the auction that was held for renting out the Circus and Nehru grounds at reserve prices.
Chandigarh, October 15 The journey started with the beating of drums as a large number of devotees from Banga Bhavan in Sector 35 and Kalibari Temple in Sector 31 formed a procession. It started at 3 pm. Moving through different sectors, the procession reached the Ghaggar at about 5 pm. The devotees immersed the idols with fervour and enthusiasm. This year the Ghaggar, instead of the Sukhana Lake, was the venue. The celebrations, it may be recalled, started on October 8 with the organising of cultural events, including classical and folk dance. In line of events, Lakhmi Puja will be performed on October 20 from 7.30 pm to 9.30
pm. Kali Puja will also be held on Divali on November 4 from 11 pm to 12.30 am at Banga Bhavan in Sector
35-C.
Chandigarh, October 15 As many as 470 prisoners, including 27 females, of Model Burail Jail celebrated Dasehra in the jail, as the jail authorities had arranged special treat for them. The Superintendent of Burail Jail, Mr D.S. Rana, said in order to celebrate Dasehra, we had arranged special dishes — “mutter paneer” and “Halwa” — for the jail inmates. He added that due to security reasons they had to celebrate the festival in a different way. Giving details about the idea of celebrating Dasehra in the jail, Mr Rana said the jail authorities provided them with best food items to make them feel part of the society. Mr Rana added that there was scope for improvement in every human being. The Superintendent of Nari Niketan, Ms Anu Sharma, said, “We have arranged sweets and special food items for the inmates”. She added that the inmates were informed about the relevance of Dasehra and were advised to become good citizens. Special arrangements had been made for the inmates of the Old Age Home, Sector-15, as they were taken to Sector 43, Dusehra ground to celebrate the festival. As many as 17 persons were felicitated and were given woollen clothes and sweets by the Shree Dasehra Committee. Bhakti sangeet and path had been arranged for the inmates of Sector 15 Old Age Home in the morning, informed Dr Jyoti Khanna, Senior Lecturer in the Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector-36. The member of jail visiting committee and President of the District Bar Association (DBA), Mr N.K. Nanda, said the inmates were human being like us and had the right to celebrate the festival. A human rights activist and social worker, Ms Veena Kumari, said the right way to make them better citizen was by making them feel that they were also part of the society. She said by organising functions and providing the inmates with special food, the authorities were doing a good job. |
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Five test positive for dengue Chandigarh, October 15 Besides, six more patients complaining of fever have been admitted to the General Hospital, Sector 16,
and another nine to Civil Hospital Manimajra, raising the total number of admitted cases in General Hospital, Sector 16, to 35 and in Civil Hospital, Manimajra, to 16. The condition of all patients, including those suffering from dengue, is stable. The Health Department in coordination with other departments continued their campaign in the high-risk areas by educating the residents through a van and two rickshaws fitted with the public address system requesting them to keep their water-coolers clean and dry. They urged the residents to keep the overhead tanks tightly shut and remove the stagnant water from all sources that could lead to breeding of mosquitoes such as discarded tyres, containers, drums, flowerpots, and puddles. Five ground teams have been deployed for house-to-house survey in the areas of Indira Colony, Mouri Gate, Police Colony of Manimajra, Maulijagran, CTU Workshop, Industrial Area and PWD store in the area of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The teams took preventive steps and checked mosquito breeding grounds. Pamphlets were distributed to educate people on the cure of fever. Two mobile vans were pressed into the service and were stationed at Indra Colony and Manimajra, close to the houses of the patients who were found to have tested positive for dengue. The teams distributed medicines and requested the residents to report the nearest hospital for their blood test in case of fever. Fogging operation was undertaken during the evening hours today and it covered Indira Colony (old and new), Subhash Nagar, Pipliwala Town and Mariwala Town areas.
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PU muddles up Sept test issue EXAMINATION BLUES Chandigarh, October 15 Now, there seems to be a change in stand though the university authorities are not going public anymore and no official communication has been sent to the colleges. The Dean, College Development Council, Dr Ramesh Kapoor, said,”
The matter has been left to the respective colleges. It is up to them to decide if they want to hold tests now or in the first week of November.” He admitted that though the university had said the tests be postponed “till further orders”, these could not be postponed indefinitely since these had the nod of the PU Senate and the Syndicate. However, the colleges had not been intimated afresh regarding holding these tests. However, taking cue from the silence of the university, SGGS College, Sector 26, had gone ahead with the holding of the tests which carried a weightage of 4 per cent in the final examinations. Explained Principal P.S. Sangha,”
I put up the datesheet before the colleges closed for the autumn break since the end of the month would keep us busy with the youth festival, leaving little time for holding tests. At least, this way we are on a safe wicket if the university decides to add these marks to the final result.” The examinations were held from October 7 after the colleges re-opened, in the afternoon for one hour after classes. It is learnt that GGDSD College, Sector 32, plans to follow suit and the tests will begin this week itself going by information available. Going strictly by the university orders, none of the government colleges have these examinations on their agenda for October, the university not having conveyed its decision in this regard. One of the principals of a government college said the examinations would be held only once the university made up its mind and asked them to hold the examinations. As of now, the staff had been instructed to begin preparing question papers for the December
examinations.” There would be no problem in hold the re-scheduled September tests since the question papers are already ready with us,” a principal claimed. |
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Pension disbursement till Oct
17 Panchkula, October 15 This was stated here yesterday by the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti Arora. She said a sum of Rs 34,85, 550 as pension would be disbursed to 17, 499 beneficiaries and a sum of Rs 25, 55, 800 would be disbursed to 12, 798 beneficiaries as old age pension, Rs 7, 90, 400 would be disbursed to 3832 widows at the rate of Rs 200 per month and Rs 1, 32, 200 would be given to 624 handicapped pensioners at the rate of Rs 200 per month while Rs 7350 would be disbursed as assistance to destitute children to 245 beneficiaries. She said the pension distribution would be conducted by the respective patwari, employees of Municipal Committee in the presence of sarpanch and nambardar concerned and MC employees. The new beneficiaries of handicapped and widow pension schemes would be given three months pension from July to September at the rate of Rs 200 per month, she added. She said that as per the direction of the state government the re-survey work of identification of new beneficiaries of Tau Devi Lal Old-Age Pension would be conducted from October 17 to 24 in the district at patwar circle level in rural areas whereas MC offices for urban area and identification of left over beneficiaries would be conducted on October 25 at tehsil and sub tehsil level. |
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Sundaram’s spreads its spicy wings Chandigarh, October 15 The new place is much more spacious, with an adequate parking area in front. Done up in bright sunny shades, whether it is the furniture upholstery or the painting adorning the walls. In fact, a closer look reveals that the hand painted designs interspersed with palm tress ingenuously carved out of banana leaves (kela patta) all serve to build an ambience and heritage of the South. The figures of fruits, vegetables and other food related items on one wall and those of temples and gods (Shankaracharya, Mahabaleshwar, Nataraj, the elephants, etc) on the other gel well with the taste of coconut and rice. The classical music of M. S. Subbalaxmi and other typical artistes will probably complete the picture once the music system is installed, promises Mr Sundaram, adorning the typical Iyer tika on his forehead. While his wife Uma, the home-grown cookery expert, continues to looks after the Sector 35 branch, his son Kanan has been made in charge of the university restaurant. And Mr Sundaram is the leg man. His job is to strike a balance, running between the two places and at the same time, attending to their catering business, mostly over the cellphone. “Our focus is on serving clean and hygienic food cooked in the fashion of Tamil kitchens. We try also not to give in to the temptation of garnishing the sambar or uthappam in the Punjabi way, like topping with tomato or dhania. Stress is laid on using just those herbs and spices which enhance the South Indian flavour,” says Mrs Sundaram, while keeping an eagle’s eye on the chefs as well as the ledger. For bigger parties, the Kwality banquet hall
partitions by a thin wall is open to Sundaram customers, too. The huge waterfall on one side and the green plants dotting the hall serve as a backdrop for the kitty parties or, as one would expect, for birthdays of students, teachers and PGI doctors across the road. As you begin with the appetizingly warm rasam, and go on to the main course of various types of veg idli, dosa or vada along with the spicy sambar complimented by coconut and tomato chutneys, served in sparkling steel utensils covered with kela patta, you realize that the meals are quite economical. Averaging between Rs 20 and Rs 40, you get a choice of dosas (plain, masala, rava, onion rava, coconut rava, cheese rava, butter masala, Mysore masala), utthapams (plain, onion, onion capsicum, mixed veg, panir), rice (lemon, coconut, curd, tomato, tamarind) and vadas (plain, sambar, rasam, onion, dahi, poorie). While sharing is not permitted, the family dosa for Rs 130 is meant for the group. Then of course, there is the special thali and mini thali comprising an assortment of these delectables available in two varieties — executive and snacks for Rs 50 and Rs 75, respectively. To get the full feel of the South, round up with aromatic hot filter coffee, or, if you prefer, go for the soft drinks. And besides, these regular dishes, the university branch offers a specialty
everday. Like, it was the ven pongal yesterday. Something similar to our khichdi, it is embellished with desi ghee, kali mirch and kaju and is to be downed with sambar. But, perhaps, it would help customers if the specialty of the day is displayed somewhere prominently. To order takeaways, call 547594. |
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READERS WRITE Check sales tax evasion by dhabas This is regarding the Punjab Government’s decision to impose sales tax on all dhabas and restaurants. We visited dhabas and restaurants in SAS Nagar and adjoining areas to check. We ate there, but none of them charged sales tax. They do business in lakhs of rupees, but do not pay sales tax. This way the government is losing crores of rupees towards sales tax. On the one hand, the Punjab Government is going through a financial crisis but no one is trying to bring the guilty to book and increase the revenue of the government. The media should take the initiative in exposing this in government and public interest. When we contacted the Sales Tax Department, the officials said they would look into the matter. They say, they are unaware of these things. Sounds strange! Joginder
Singh, Chandigarh Cheating the jobless Jobs in the government, semi-government and private sector are not available in the era of computer and high technology. Instead, government, banks and corporations are reducing their staff. India is no exception. Developed countries too are facing this problem. The computer industry has become the biggest threat to the unemployed. Now private placement service is mushrooming in the city to provide jobs in all types of industry. They charge Rs 200 to 250 per candidate and register them for employment. The unemployed candidates rely on them. They even take the certificates of the candidates to take 15 days’ pay of the first month. One of the placement services in the city has taken money from a candidate with the assurance that his name will be sent to the relevant industry for providing employment in a month. However, even after three months, the candidate has not received any call letter. This is unfair. When the people have confidence on the placement services, they must provide credible service to the candidates. M.L.Garg,
Chandigarh PSEB
vs CBSE This is to highlight the hardships of students and their parents. While the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) despatches migration certificates of the students of Class XI to their respective schools, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has no arrangement to send migration certificates even to the students who have passed +2 (Twelfth class). The undergraduate courses after +2 are conducted by the various universities. Every student has to apply separately for getting migration certificate, that too, against a hefty fee of Rs 100. The majority of the students and their parents do not have the knowledge about the procedure and access to the forms that are to be filled in for applying for a migration certificate. They are also uncertain as to when they will receive the certificate from the PSEB, SAS Nagar. Otherwise, they have to spend another Rs 200 to get the certificate through private agents. In fact, a review of the meaningful purpose of the migration certificate needs to be undertaken. It is merely a no objection certificate with no other details. It can easily be incorporated in the result card, if at all it is required. Rakesh
Singla, Patiala Strikes galore Quitting classes. Is it okay? The standards of both learning and teaching are falling. What’s this all fuss about? Why stage dhanas and observe strikes? Once there was a very healthy relationship between students and teachers. But now why students don’t want to go to college? No one knows who is right or wrong. People criticise students for going on strike on the drop of a hat, but no one is thinking how to avoid such situations. If both students and teachers are honest and sincere, there wouldn’t be any such turmoil. But ultimately who is the loser? No one is thinking of the precious time they are wasting. Our men and women work day and night at the cost of their lives, but see what the students and teachers are doing. I beseech students and teachers to work it out and do their work sincerely and honestly. They should not fritter away their valuable time and energy in strikes or dharnas. Dayal
Sud, Chandigarh Disband MC The Union Home Ministry should disband the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC). Why should there be two administrations — the Union Territory and the MCC? Ever since Chandigarh come into existence, the UT Administration has been working well. It earned a name in the country and abroad. The politicians known for corruption created the MCC a few years back. The MCC is an additional burden on the exchequer and the UT budget. The pay and allowances and other facilities alone amount to lakhs of rupees in a month. This is avoidable waste of precious funds and resources. It appears that the UT Administrator and the Home Ministry are blind to this double expenditure. Big cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and other cities in the country are run by one administration with a vast population and coverage area. Why then two administrations in Chandigarh? Lt-Col
P.S. Sarang (retd),Chandigarh |
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Gurpurb procession Chandigarh, October 15 The procession will begin from Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sector 37 and after passing through Sectors 23, 22, 21, 20 and 30, end at Gurdwara Sector 19-D. |
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BJP’s ‘Gaon Chalo Abhiyan’
today Chandigarh, October 15 The party workers will interact with the residents of these villages and also inform them about the achievements of the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government at the Centre. The BJP President, Mr Yashpal Mahajan, National Executive member Satyapal Jain, general secretary Purushottam Mahajan, Kisan Morcha president Harbhajan Singh, its general secretary Gurdeep Singh Attawa, Panchayati Raj cell president Shingara Singh, Hallomajra panch Gurdhyan Dass Gupta and Palsora sarpanch Jai Chand will participate in the programmes. Chandigarh, October 15 BJP President Yashpal Mahajan expressed this commitment while addressing a gathering at the Sector 43 Ram Leela Committee Dasehra celebrations. Former BJP MP Satyapal Jain lit the effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and
Kumbhkaran. |
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Vikas Rana wins Maruti
car Chandigarh, October 15 When the name of the winner was announced in front of a capacity crowd in Sector 22 D parking lot, crowd cheered Yuvraj and the winner. The cricketer then called up the winner by telephone, as he was not present on the spot. The winner’s father came and received the keys from the market association after some. The association had drawn lots for as many as 24 gifts, including a fridge, OTG, music system, Rado watch, TV, Samsonite luggage among others. Anshu Sharma of Panchkula won a Rado clock, Ria Sharma of Panchkula a TV, Bimla of Sector 22-A a refrigerator, Santosh Sharma of Panchkula a microwave, Balwinder Kaur of SAS Nagar a Raymond suit length, Usha Mehta of Sector 11 A, Chandigarh, a music system, Deepak Sharma of Sector 32 a juicer-mixer-grinder, Usha Kashyap an OTG and Ritu Saini of Secotr 49-A a VCD player. Ms Dalbir Kaur won a Samsonite luggage, Gaurav Loomb a VIP Luggage, Deepak Sharma a portable blender, Mr Sandhu a cordless phone, Bina of Sector 16 an imported dinner set, Ms Pali Hans of SAS Nagar a sandwitch maker, Bhag Kaur of Mani Majra a geyser, Seema Walia of Sector 61 a toaster, Dimply of Modern Complex Mani Majra an Usha Lexus heater, Lankesh Raj of Sector 9-C Crystal glass set, Amit Rishi of Shivalik Enclave, Mani Majra, a whisky set and Gurdial Singh of Sector 8-B a dinner set. Satinder Kaur, Jasdeep Kaur, A.S. Bhatia, Ritu and Malike won watches. |
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Judge was ‘hit by’
scooter of IAF official’s son Chandigarh, October 15 Family sources said the cremation would take place after his daughters arrive from Canada. His son, Major Parminderjit Singh, is posted in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands and is expected to reach home later tonight. The scooter driver allegedly involved in the accident is reportedly the son of an Air Force official. According to sources in the police, the driver who had also sustained injuries in the accident was immediately rushed to the Air Force hospital. Mr Ajit Singh (78) was hit by a scooter near the roundabout of Sectors 20, 21, 33 and 34 at around 8.45 pm yesterday. He was rushed to the GMCH, Sector 32, from where he was referred to the PGI. |
Bathinda resident held with opium Chandigarh, October 15 He has been booked under Section 18 of the NDPS Act. |
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Cheque for Rs 1 lakh stolen,
encashed Chandigarh, October 15 Theft Mr Kulwant Singh, a resident of Sector 40, reported with the police that his car (CH01 Q 0575) was stolen from a parking lot in Sector 17 last evening. Mr Aman Kumar, a resident of Sector 26, also reported that his LML Vespa (CH03D 2777) was stolen from Sector 7 on October 12. Two cases of theft have been registered. Assault Purse stolen Burglar(s) broke into a shop in Sector 17-E and took away a record player and Rs 2,817. The complainant, Mr Atul Kapoor, said the theft took place on the night of October 12. PANCHKULA Hit-and-run
cases In another complaint, Mr Sunil Kumar, a resident of Ambala, in a complaint lodged with the Sector 19 police station, has alleged that due to rash driving by the driver of a truck (HR-37A-1119) two Maruti cars (DL-2CN-4687 and CH-01P-4848) were hit badly. The driver of the truck fled the spot. A case has been registered under Sections 279, 337 and 427 of the IPC. Snatching Case of theft Ms Urmil Sodhi, a resident of Sector 12, in a complaint has alleged that someone attempted a burglary at her residence on Monday, while she had gone to the market. A case has been registered under Sections 454 and 511 of the IPC at the Sector 5 police station. Case
registered Three
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Seminar on “investment opportunities” Chandigarh, October 15 Mr Sudarshan Sukhani, a leading technical analyst, and Mr Chander Chellani, regional head of the ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company, were the key speakers. Mr Sukhani explained the need to conserve capital and be consistent in approach while dealing in stocks. Acting speedily, with caution and guidance from technical charts could help in improving chances of success, Mr Sukhani added. Mr Chellani drove home the importance of life insurance cover in human lives. He informed that the market linked insurance plans were new ‘financial products’. Mr H.S.Arora, managing director of Master Trust Limited, Mr G.S.Chawla, director of Master Trust Limited, Mr Daljit Singh, Managing Director of INSCOL, and Mr S.K.Sukhija, a leading portfolio consultant, also spoke. |
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