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And Chandigarh boogied into 2003
Chandigarh, December 31
The imprisoning drizzle failed to dampen the spirits on New Year Eve. Even though the functions were washed off at some places, revellers braved the icy winds to wildly drive their honking jalopies into 2003. All roads led to celebrations, it was clear as the chill failed to freeze the thrill.

Young couples dance their way into 2003 in Chandigarh. — Photos Parvesh Chauhan

Powermen sweat in bitter cold Chandigarh, December 31 The city and it surrounding areas shivered under cold-wave-like conditions with the daytime temperature dropping to 11.4°C, making it the coldest day, so far, of the season. The temperature was 10 degrees below the normal average for this time of the year, which made everyone remain indoor, which affected business activity and led to poor attendance in offices.

A rickshaw-puller has a tough time pulling his rickshaw in inclement weather in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

MAYORAL POLL
Cross-voting stands between Cong and victory
Chandigarh, December 31
Though Congress candidate Subhash Chawla seems like winning the Mayoral election scheduled for tomorrow on paper, BJP candidate Rajesh Gupta claims he will spring up a surprise. This is indicative of cross-voting in the Congress and the wholesale support of nine nominated councillors.

Political events hogged limelight
Chandigarh, December 31
After a year of long, dry spells, including drought that hit the region, a wet farewell to 2002 is a good omen. Though compared to the rest of the country, northern India remained peaceful yet it had its own reasons, actions and events to stay in the headlines.

PU takes up research project in explosives
Chandigarh, December 31
In the first project of its kind being undertaken by any academic institution in the country, Panjab University has embarked on a research programme to find ways to change certain properties of explosives.

Man murdered; body burnt
Dera Bassi, December 31
A debtor allegedly murdered his benefactor when the latter went to his house in Bhagwas village to collect his dues last night. The body was later set on fire and dumped in a ditch along the Dera Bassi-Barwala road, near Saidpura village, around 3 km from here.

Serial burglaries: 4 more held
Chandigarh, December 31
The Chandigarh Police today claimed to have arrested four members of a gang involved in robberies and serial burglaries in Chandigarh and SAS Nagar. Five members of the gang had already been arrested on the night intervening December 25 and December 26.

COMMUNITY

Full dues for poor sanitation men
SAS Nagar, December 31
Despite the Municipal Council finding the work of sanitation contractors unsatisfactory, officials of the Department of Local Government have ordered the civic body to make full payment to them.

Armyman ‘harassed’ by IT Dept
Chandigarh, December 31
Due to the indifferent attitude of a government department and the insensitivity of its staff an 89 year old handicapped and retired Army Captain, H.R. Bagga, is facing problems at the hands of the local Income Tax Department.

Mayor lists achievements on last day in office
Chandigarh, December 31
Mayor Lalit Joshi here today claimed the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh was the sole municipal body in the country to have been successful in prevailing upon the state government to accept the State Finance Commission report completely.

Jain heads party’s election cell
Chandigarh, December 31
Former local BJP MP Satya Pal Jain, a national executive member and in charge of the party in Uttaranchal, was today appointed in charge of the Election and Legal Cell of the party at the national level.

Rain hits door-to-door campaigning
Panchkula, December 31
The last day of 2002 saw most candidates confining to their homes and the door-to-door campaigning gave way to campaigning through telephone, courtesy the rain that lashed the region all through the day.

Cop alleges victimisation
Chandigarh, December 31
A constable of the Chandigarh police, Jaiveer Singh, is running from pillar to post to plead his innocence. Jaiveer Singh was suspended after a case of corruption was registered against him by the CBI in January, this year.

SFC approves of new sewage treatment plant 
Chandigarh, December 31
A new sewage treatment plant will stop the dirty and highly contaminated sewage from flowing towards villages of Punjab and affecting the lives of thousands of people who live downstream a natural seasonal rivulet, through which the sewerage of the city is pushed down.

Rally by PCL employees
SAS Nagar, December 31
The Punjab Communications Employees Union organised a rally against the PCL management and the Punjab Government in connection with their demands. The procession started from PCL Chowk and culminated at Udyog Bhavan, Sector 17, Chandigarh. Dharnas were organised at both these points.

Khadi exhibition ends
Chandigarh, December 31
Ms Neeru Nanda, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh, was the chief guest on the concluding day of a Khadi Gramodyog exhibition held since October 2 at Gandhi Smarak Bhavan, Sector 16, here today. The programme was started with a song “Toro man darpan kahlaye” by Mr Vimal Sardana, a noted social worker of Chandigarh.

Rally on female foeticide
SAS Nagar, December 31
Over 1,200 women from Anganwari Training Centre here participated in a rally taken out by Milkfed, Punjab (Verka) and Child Welfare Council Punjab under the ‘the Girl Child and Prevention of Female Foeticide’ project of Family Planning Association of India, SAS Nagar branch here today.

CRIME

Four thefts reported in city
Chandigarh, December 31
Four separate incidents of theft were reported in the city. A Maruti car was stolen from the parking of Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17. A case has been lodged on a complaint filed by Gurmukh Singh, a resident of Sector 39. In another case, Lal Chand, a resident of Sector 39, said that his scooter was stolen from his residence.

2 booked for duping one
Panchkula, December 31
The police has booked Joga Singh and an accomplice on the charge of duping a local resident, Amarjit Singh, of Rs 1.80 lakh on the pretext of getting him a visa for Italy. The accused neither got him a visa nor returned his money. They also threatened him with dire consequences, he has alleged. A case has been registered.

• Two booked

LIFE & STYLE

Glitz & glamour
Young resolutions get gorgeous
She would still have been looking at the gloomy world with dark gray eyes. The way she did for years together. Had the under-grad not resolved to go in for cheerful tinted lenses in January of 2002. Today, Radhu graciously admires the wonderland she lives in with turquoise eyes.

Resolutions to keep
Standing straight on the impressive weighing machine casually placed in the market corridor in front of a departmental store, Zoya resolved to lose at least 20 kgs — eight in the first month. She tried. Jogged till beads of perspiration appeared on her brow.

Venus Speaks
Smile, I will in 2003
Smile throughout the year, in good times, even in bad times — that is exactly what Tanu Chadha has resolved for 2003. "Come what may, I will smile and spread happiness around," Tanu asserts.

EDUCATION

• Balwinder Singh Officiating Principal

DISTRICT COURTS ROUND-UP
Year that saw politicians, bureaucrats face litigation
Chandigarh, December 31
It was a year with a difference at the district courts as prominent politicians, high-profile bureaucrats and senior police officers were seen making rounds of the courts to face legal battles.

SPORTS

SPORTS ROUNDUP
No cake, but icing came at the end
Chandigarh, December 31
The inclusion of two city cricketers, Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia, in the Indian team for the World Cup-2003 was the happiest news of the year for sports buffs here. The selections announced on December 30 eclipsed the sorrow of city’s poor performance in the 32nd National Games, where its 250 athletes could win only one gold medal.