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| Saturday,
July 19, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Water position comfortable Chandigarh, July 18 The traditional ban, brought in force to curtail the demand of water during the summer, had been imposed from April 15 but has not yet been officially lifted. The ban is imposed to keep the demand in tune with 65 MGD of water available against a demand ranging between 90 and 100
MGD during the summer. An official says the ban is technically kept till September 1 to keep a cushion for a season in which the rainfall is not sufficient. However, another official says if the month of July has been recorded as the coolest in the last five years and the rainfall till today is more than double than the last year, there is no need to continue with the ban. July, till today, has recorded 292.8 mm of rainfall against around 134 mm last year. He also said it was always well within the powers of the corporation to re-impose the ban of the supply whenever it was required. One senior official feels though the ban technically stays but there will not be any notices or challans issued now. The Public Health Wing of the Municipal Corporation feels it is not necessary that the ban is lifted on July 15, a date when the ban is reviewed every year. It seems the water supply situation in the city this season has been better than previous years due to a strict monitoring of water level at least four times a day in four waterworks and regular pumping of water in the Sector 39 main waterworks. Apart from this, the Municipal Corporation also finds a situation where it does not have to provide water to thousands of people who have been displaced because of a massive demolition drive. If the challans were to indicate the availability of water, the corporation this year seems very comfortable as none of the violators has been challaned this season against hundreds in the previous years. The corporation, however, has issued more than 300 notices for the violation of water by-laws during the season but the compliance of consumers on the violations pointed out in the notices was prompt enough not to attract any penalty, officials said. Three other factors are also being considered contributory to reducing the demand of water — the hike in water charges, introduction of electronic metres and the penalty being allowed to be charged through water bills. |
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Maloya woman dies of diarrhoea?
Chandigarh, July 18 It was on the morning of July 15 that Shanti Devi fell ill with acute diarrhoea and started vomiting. “By about 5 p.m. her condition worsened and when we took her to the General Hospital, Sector 16, the doctors declared her brought dead,” her husband Raj Kumar, who is a rickshaw puller, said. She is survived by three children, Ruchi (11), Amit (10) and Priyanka (2). He said the Administration had made no proper provision for drinking water for about 30 families living in tents and jhuggis in a garden in Maloya. “Despite, assurances by the Administration that we will be rehabilitated nothing has been done for the past two years as we continue to live in deplorable conditions,” Raj Kumar added. About 12 other persons in the area are suffering from diarrhoea and gastroenteritis for the past few days. They alleged that so far no health team has visited the area to provide them with chlorine tablets or clean the place and spray disinfectants to prevent breeding of mosquitoes and flies. Interestingly, the Director, Health Services, Dr C.P. Bansal, said he was not aware of any such death. “We have a dispensary at Maloya but no such case has been brought to my notice by the doctor posted there, but we will send a team of the department to look into the matter,” he said when contacted at home late in the evening. Later, he rushed a team of doctors, headed by nodal officer J.K. Kalra, to the area. Meanwhile, a visit to the area revealed that people were using water for drinking and cooking from a tap right next to a mobile toilet. Some of them were seen lined up with their containers in front of the water tank attached with the mobile toilet. “There is neither any provision for safe drinking water and the place is full of pigs reared by people living in the housing colony,” said one of the resident. Moreover, the people said despite taking medicines from private doctors they were still suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.  |
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Suitor behind Simran’s murder? Chandigarh, July 18 Spurred by vital clues, the local police has zeroed in on few youths who could be behind the murder. However, no one has been called up for investigations so far. Sources in the UT police revealed that an advertisement seeking a suitable life partner for Simran had appeared in a newspaper a couple of weeks ago. “Somebody wanting to marry her might have read the advertisement and got disheartened over the possibility of Simran’s marriage with somebody else” is the possible theory of murder the police is trying to establish. Mr S.C. Sagar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Central), when contacted over the telephone confirmed that the post-mortem of the dead body has not been conducted. “It has been delayed on the request of victim’s parents. They had said that Simran’s brother, who was on his way back home from the USA, would like to see his sister’s face for the last time,” he said. Adding that Simran’s brother was expected to be back home by tomorrow morning, he said
the post-mortem would probably be conducted the same day. In reply to a question, the DSP said that initial investigations into the case would formally begin after the post-mortem examination. “We need to talk to the parents of the girl before initiating investigations to get an idea about her close friends,” he said. Meanwhile, another official of the UT police said all key suspects in the murder were male acquaintances of Simran like her former class fellows and youths in her relations. “The police has managed to dig out few names and addresses of boys who might be routinely coming in contact with Simran,” sources said. They were likely to be questioned after talking to the parents of the deceased. It may be mentioned that the police has recovered a prose from Simran’s room. A police official said the contents of the prose indicates that someone was close to Simran and was interested in marrying her. The police has indicated that it will go through the records of the computer that was found open when the police team took into possession the dead body of Simran. The investigating team will also check the e-mail account of Simran. |
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UT will not promote any DSP Chandigarh, July 18 When Mr Baldev Singh retires on July 31, one of the DSPs will be transferred and posted as DSP, Headquarters, to handle the work of Mr Baldev Singh, who is presently working as SP Headquarters, well placed sources in the Chandigarh Administration confirmed. In case an official is posted against the rank of an SP, it has to be from the Indian Police Service and none among the present lot of 11 DSPs of the Chandigarh Police will be given a promotion. All these DSPs including Mr Baldev Singh, had been appointed ASIs and have risen through the cadre by way of promotions. In the past the DSPs had demanded that they be given IPS rank within Chandigarh, as is the practice in the states. This was declined by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. An official pointed out that Mr Baldev Singh was DSP of the Chandigarh Police and was promoted about five years ago as SP in his own rank and pay (ORP) at the time when Lieut Gen
B. K. N. Chhibber (retd) was
This means Mr Baldev Singh enjoyed the powers of an SP but was never formally promoted to that post and for matters of pay he was a DSP. In the intervening period, it may be recollected that the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that the system of giving ORP-based promotions was wrong. Subsequently several officials were reverted to their original posts in Punjab and Haryana. When the court ruling had come about two years ago, the Chandigarh Administration, sources said, had thought it was not in the right spirit to revert Mr Baldev Singh to the post of DSP, as this would have meant
humiliation for him. His designation as SP was seen more like a reward for his long standing powers of gathering grass roots information. As a matter of routine, the SSP takes a briefing about the crime situation from Mr Baldev Singh, whose prowess lies in having the history of all crimes in the city on his fingertips. Since DSPs serving in Chandigarh have no promotional avenues as IPS officers, the lone post of SP, Headquarters, is coveted among them. Mr Baldev is also a DSP from the same cadre. The next three as per seniority are Mr Bhagwan Das Bector, Mr Surjit Singh and Mr Devinder Singh Thakur. Mr Surjit Singh will retire on December 31. |
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Sukhna 6.5 feet below danger mark Chandigarh, July 18 The total rainfall till today in July has aggregated to 292.8 mm. The weather in the city turned pleasant at 29.4°C, five degrees below normal. The minimum temperature remained comfortable at 25.4°C. With humidity remaining between 83 per cent and 98 per cent, it is likely to be intermittent rains and cloudy sky tomorrow according to, the Meteorological Department. Ambala recorded a maximum of at 29°C and a minimum of 24°C after receiving 6.1 mm of rainfall today. The temperature of Ambala hovered around six degree below normal. Patiala received heavy rain recording 59.4 mm pushing the maximum to 27.5°C, eight degrees below normal. |
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Mahila Cong to gherao Parliament on July 21 Chandigarh, July 18 This was announced here today by the AIMC vice-president, Ms Krishna Mohini, at a press conference here today. Ms Mohini held meetings with leaders of the local unit of the Mahila Congress led by Ms Lalit Joshi and that of Haryana led by Ms Anita Yadav. She said the AIMC had also started collecting signatures of women to muster support for the Women’s Reservation Bill pending in Parliament. Ms Mohini, who is also in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Haryana, Punjab, Union Territory of Chandigarh and Himachal, said the AIMC would also submit signatures collected from across the country to the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on July 22. The Congress leader also lashed out at the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, for allegedly indulging in vindictive actions against its state Mahila Congress President and MLA Anita Yadav. Ms Mohini said the state units had sent 1,01,010 signatures to the AIMC president, Ms Rita Bahuguna Joshi, to be forwarded to President Kalam. The vice-president of the Mahila Congress appreciated the Chandigarh unit saying 15,000 had been collected by it during the last few days. Ms Mohini accused the ruling BJP of being reluctant to get reservation for women in legislatures saying when it imposed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), no all-party meeting was called in before passing it in a joint meeting of Parliament. Ms Mohini held the meeting of the Haryana unit of the Mahila Congress where the matter of Ms Anita Yadav came up. Office-bearers of Haryana Mahila Congress and district presidents attended the meeting. |
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PUDA guidelines on
public dealing SAS Nagar, July 18 The decision follows a controversial ban by the Estate Officer, Mr T.K. Goel, on the entry of public beyond the first floor of the office building here. The Estate Officer had announced that no one, including property dealers, would be allowed into the building beyond the first floor. This had led to widespread protest from the public with the property dealers even threatening to launch a protest against the Estate Officer. According to sources, a set of instructions were issued today by the Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) following complaints by a property dealers’ association. The Estate Office will now be open to public from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on each working day. Anyone who wants to scrutinise documents and files will be allowed after an application to this effect is received and their names are noted down on a register being maintained for the purpose. Property dealers will have to produce an authorisation letter from the owner of the property before being allowed to scrutinise the documents. For any complaint and follow up of cases the Estate Officer and other senior officials will be available during the timing already mentioned. The ACA, PUDA, SAS Nagar, Mr Yashvir Mahajan, stated that “Estate Office records are very vital and cannot be made accessible to everybody. At the same time it is important that before a transaction takes place a buyer is entitled to ascertain the title and the status of the property. In the interest of transparency a procedure to inspect the document by an authorised person of the owner has been laid down during these restricted hours.” Stating that the new procedure will be better streamlined once PUDA shifts its various offices to the new PUDA Bhavan, the ACA pointed out that the procedures laid down today would be implemented with immediate effect. The sources stated that the move will check corruption. |
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Fashion
designing comes naturally to her Chandigarh, July 18 It all comes naturally to her. Being associated since childhood with fabric knitting, yarn spinning and modern stitching units, besides yarn dyeing, she launched
Korn, an acclaimed brand name in clothes. After doing a two-year course in fashion merchandising from an institute in New Delhi, she got associated with her family business of hosiery export in Ludhiana. But later on she realised that apart from her family business there was ample scope for contribution to the fashion world. It was then she decided to launch her own designer wear. Nikita believes: “I did innovative experimentation in terms of designs, colours and surface ornamentation. Cool casual stuff with bright colours including blue, turquoise, red and whites, are my favourites. They cannot be matched with. Throughout, the main target was the elite women who constantly believe in looking elegant and sophisticated.” She started with her dream project from Amritsar, moved to New Delhi before coming to City Beautiful “to re-write the fashion rules for Chandigarh youth. She adds: “The youngsters can relate to the apparels we offer. There is no doubt about it”. Giving details, she adds: “Keeping in mind the fashion consciousness invading the youngsters, apparel for different seasons are based on themes. After finalising the themes, the colours and designs are blended accordingly on the different stuff’’. With autumn season approaching, she has come up with a trendy collection of crew neck T-shirts, short tops, sandblasted and tinted denims, besides spaghheti tops and semi-fitted shirts. The new designs, colours and surface ornamentation is done on cotton knitwear, voiles, georgettes, woven fabrics and pigment washed fabrics, according to the theme of ‘music’ for the season. ‘’The main inspiration has been my father who encouraged me throughout my career. In fact, the entire family supported me in my endeavor. They
inculcated in me the desire to do something creative after breaking free from the routine.” |
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Literature
by neoliterates Chandigarh, July 18 The idea behind the scheme is to empower men and women in real sense of the word by enabling them to write stories and poems they have waited all their life to write. Working on this idea, the department has already asked people studying in its adult literacy centres to send their outpourings to them. The first phase, which has
generated immense interest among slum and colony residents attending literacy classes, involves the collection of contributions. These contributions can be of any nature — a poem on rain or on friendship, a photograph of a work which a slum woman has created, a reflective piece on trails and
tribulations of life, and so on. Another reason behind publishing the newsletter by inviting voluntary contributions from people belonging to lower income strata of the society is to develop and create model literature which neoliterates would be interested in consuming. Ironically, there is no ideal literature available for neoliterates, who neither fall in the category of children, nor of the advanced learners. For long, they have been depending on comics like Champak, which are below their maturity level. Sharing information on the project, Ms Madhavi Kataria, nodal officer for National Literacy Mission in UT, said, “Our centres are imparting literacy to over 25,000 women who live in colonies and slums. We have a very small number of men. They are fast learners and are bright in various ways, but they have been trained by circumstances to supress their talent. However, the kind of literature available for them in libraries does not match their mental level. We are not comfortable with offering them Champak and Nandan comics in the name of literature. So we have decided to involve them in the creation of their own literature. They will write stories, poems, share
experiences, create rugs or shawls or whatever they want to. We will feature their creations in the newsletter. This will virtually empower them.” The idea is to also generate greater interest in adult literacy awareness mission of the Government of India. Once people become a part of the creation of literature by way of publication of newsletters, they will realise the benefits of literacy. |
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Kids paint at Forest Hill Chandigarh, July 18 Despite persistent rain, about 623 children from various schools turned up to paint on various themes and contest under different categories. For a balanced contest the organisers had divided children into four sections. Themes for each section were also varied — “Monsoon” for children of classes below VI; “Environment” for children of classes VII and VIII; “Your surroundings” for students of classes IX and X; “Landscape” for students of classes XI and XII. After a given time of one hour, the results in the kids category were announced. In this section Simran stood first, Seerat and Abhey stood second and third respectively. Winners (in the order of merit) in classes V and VI category were Nidhi Mahajan from Bharatiya Vidyalaya, Shivani Sharma from Bhavan Vidyalaya and Shikha from KB DAV, Sector 7. Jasleen from Mount Carmel was awarded a consolation prize. In classes VII and VIII category, Mohit Kumar from Mount Carmel was declared first, Neha Bansal from KB DAV, Sector 7 came second and Aditya from Bhavan Vidyalaya stood third. Baldev Negi from Mount Carmel, Deepika Khanna from Moti Ram Arya School, Jasleen Kaur from St Soldier School bagged positions in the order of merit, in classes IX and X category. Arshdeep Singh from Mount Carmel bagged the consolation prize. Finally, results (in order of merit) for classes XI and XII are — Anshul Sharma from GGSS School, Preeti from Bhavan Vidyalaya and Amandeep
Kaur from Government Model Senior Secondary School. Kritika Sharma got the consolation prize. |
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More kundis removed in Mohali
SAS Nagar, July
18 As many as 15 kundis were moved by employees of the board which had been connected to low voltage lines passing from the area. It is learnt that the length of each kundi was about 30 metres. The earlier operation had been carried out on July 16 when employees of the board removed about 100 metres of cable which had a thickness of 50 mm. The cable had been connected to the high voltage lines passing from the area. The Ropar Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Seema Jain, who had held a meeting with Municipal Council, PSEB and PUDA officials yesterday had asked the power board authorities to see to it that kundis did not appear again in the colonies from where they had been removed. She had also directed them to check Guru Nanak Colony in Phase XI in this regard. It is learnt that the JE of the area had brought to the notice of the SDO concerned that kundis had resurfaced in the Amb Sahib Colony. A plan was prepared and operation carried out around 12.30 p.m. with the help of 25 police personnel. It is learnt that the police had to stay in the area for some time even after the operation had been carried out because the residents of the colony had threatened to break the windowpanes of the houses falling opposite the colony as they were under the impression that the operations were being carried out on the basis of complaints made by those residents. Mr K.S. Sidhu, Additional Superintending Engineer (ASE), PSEB, said that the drive against power theft would continue and cases would be registered against the guilty. |
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Estate
Office:
where clerk is the king Clerks on the other hand are here for a life time of service. There
are employees who have been serving in the Estate Office for the past
more than 32 years and have worked with as many as 17 estate officers.
Little wonder nothing can get past the clerk badshah. It is he alone
who can wade through more than 70, 000 files clogging the musty record
room and come up with the right piece of advice. And a note written by
him on the file can seldom be countered even by the estate officer.
The UT Estate Office has only 270 employees but the set-up is so
powerful that the whole of the UT revolves around it. There is hardly
any aspect of life in the UT which does not involve the estate office.
It deals with the sale and transfer of residential, commercial,
industrial, educational and institutional properties besides the
offices of the various government and other semi-government
departments. Another wing, called SDO (Buildings) deals with the
violation of building bye-laws. Yet another cell deals with the misuse
of buildings. It also has an enforcement wing which regularly moves
against illegal colonies, slums, roadside vendors, rehri markets.
Another segment of the office deals with the acquisition of land
and other related functions. It is also a major revenue earning
department of the Chandigarh Administration and earned as much as Rs
131.75 crore as against the target of Rs 130 crore fixed for last
year.
Mr Arun Kumar, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer took over
charge of his assignment about two months ago and is still
familiarising himself with the functioning of the estate office. But
the Assistant Estate Officer, Mr Ashwani Kumar, says that several
steps have been taken to streamline the functioning of the estate
office and make it people-friendly. A single-window system has been
introduced under which any case submitted to the estate office has to
be disposed of within 45 days. The entry of the general public into
the office has been restricted to just one hour a day from 12 noon to
1 p.m. to enable the staff to concentrate on disposal of files. A
close circuit television system has also been installed focusing
primarily on the record room following complaints that property files
went missing at crucial moments.
However, those visiting any wing of the Estate Office say that it
is anything but people friendly. As Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi, general
secretary of the Chandigarh Nagrik Sabha puts it, the staff is
generally rude, indifferent and unhelpful and seems to enjoy the
discomfiture of the visitors. “Their attitude is not how to find
solution to a problem presented by the residents, but how not to. On
the whole, it is a frustrating experience.
“The single-window system can hardly be termed as a success
because the babudom which dominates the estate office has found a way
to defeat the main intention of the Administration: it holds up the
file for 44 days before sending it back to the person concerned with
some query or the other”.
Frequently, one wing of the Estate Office does not know what the
other is doing. In one case, Mr Sethi says, a property was ordered to
be resumed in January, 2003 for alleged violation of building byelaws
but the owner was not informed about it till the end of June. In the
intervening period, the land acquisition officer, who deals with these
cases, continued to hear arguments by the owner for the grant of
extension in time for the regularisation of the violations. He was
also in communication with the SDO (B) for a formal report so that
extension could be granted.
Mr Ashok Bansal, another social worker, feels that nothing much
should be expected out of the estate office unless the administration
simplified the bye-laws and rules. “Can you believe that as many as
35 NOCs are required before a building plan is cleared by the
Administration? Steps should also be taken to computerise the records
so that there is no confusion and duplication of efforts”.
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Forest
Dept providing saplings free of cost Chandigarh, July 18 These will be made available at following forest nurseries: Hallomajra Nursery on Ambala-Chandigarh National Highway; Nursery at Forest Rest House in front of railway station; Kishangarh Nursery at Kishangarh village; Forest Nursery in
Patiala-ki-Rao Forests (behind Panjab University) and Forest Nursery near Boat Club. All educational institutions (schools and colleges), government and non-government institutions organisations, farmers and city residents can collect saplings as per their requirement and plant those. This is the right time for plantation as the Monsoon is at its peak. To take full advantage of rainy season, complete plantation should be done by July 31. Before planting, clean the place by clearing grass and weeds. Remove stones, and pebbles from the soil taken out of the pit and mix two parts of top soil with one part of manure i.e. the ratio of soil and manure should be 2:1, a spokesperson for the Forest Department said. |
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Ministers
plant saplings Chandigarh, July 18 The Finance Minister, Mr Lal Singh, inaugurated the function by planting a sapling. The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, who was scheduled to inaugurate the function, could not attend due to some reasons. Later, a touch screen ( kiosk) system, which would provide information on the Vidhan Sabha, was also inaugurated by Mr Lal Singh. Among others who planted the saplings were Dr Kewal Krishan, Speaker, Vidhan Sabha, Mr Jagjit Singh, Local Bodies and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, and Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Deputy Speaker. |
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Mohali sanitation work to cost Rs 99 lakh SAS Nagar, July 18 A conditional allotment letter for a period of three months has been issued by the Municipal Council to the contractor even though the contract had been signed for one year. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 1.04 crore and the work has been allotted for Rs 99.90 lakh. Mr Kulwant Singh, president of the council, said the work period of the contractor would be extended only if his work was found satisfactory by the councillors and the public. The president appealed to the public to help him in keeping the town clean and they could do so by dumping their garbage at earmarked sites. He said if residents noticed some person littering the area, a complaint in this regard could be made to the civic body. The sanitation work would include sweeping of the roads, lifting and dumping of garbage at the earmarked site. |
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Haj pilgrimage Chandigarh, July 18 A pilgrim can send application along with a bank draft for Rs 10,550 drawn in favour of the State Haj Committee, Chandigarh, to Mr
I.S. Sandhu, SDM-cum-Coordinator of the committee, room No. 18, 1st floor, Estate Office Building, Sector 17, Chandigarh. The application form can also be collected from the Superintendent, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Chandigarh, free of cost. |
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Seminar
on Netaji Chandigarh, July 18 Netaji’s nephew Subrata Bose, MP and All India Forward Block general secretary Bebabrratta Biswas’ and a close associate of Netaji’, Col Pritam Singh (retd) will also participate in the seminar. |
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SAVE WATER
WE all know that water is
one of the most important natural resource for sustaining both plant and
animal life. So, it is our duty to conserve this natural resource in
order to save life on the blue planet that is earth. But, to our utter
dismay we see the misutilisation of this valuable natural resource
everyday and everywhere. A few steps like storing the rain water in
tanks and water aquifers, judicious and economical use of water in our
day to day chores like washing and bathing can be a great step. Parents
and teachers ought to teach the youngsters the importance of water.
Cartoons, T.V. programs, video clippings and small skits based on water
conservation can also help in creating awareness among people. Everyone
should plant a tree on birthdays If millions of Indians join hands and
save a little water everyday, the crisis can be met. Gurjot Singh,
Class VII, St. John's High School, Chandigarh. *
* * * * * Water is the
essence of life that makes our earth a unique plant. But since the
very beginning of human civilisation, the 'self purifying' and 'self
cleaning' capacity of the environment started deteriorating. We use
water in bathing, cooking, washing, recreating and irrigation, among
others. We can conserve water by using less water and avoiding wastage
at home. If water is left running while we are brushing our teeth 38
litres of water will be wasted per person. Water used for washing of
clothes can be used for washing cars and scooters. We can conserve water
by using better methods of irrigation. Drip irrigation supplies water to
the roots of plants drop by drop instead of filling the entire field
with full of water. If we do not throw dead bodies of humans, animal
and their ashes into the river and avoid excessive use of fertilisers,
water pollution can be prevented. Proper arrangements must be made for
disposal of industrial wastes, treatment of sewage also prevent water
pollution. Rain water can be collected and put to judicious use. Thus,
water is precious, save it, or else our survival is in danger. Divya,
Class VII, Carmel Convent, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Water is the 'elixir of
life'. We have to make sure that even poor people get their minimum
necessary requirement of pure drinking water. Apart from avoiding
wastage of water and repair of leaking pipes the following steps should
be taken to conserve water: collecting rain water, cutting down on
swimming pools when there is not even enough drinking water for the
poor, using water from the tubewells for lawns and kitchen gardens.
Punishing defaulters for violating the rules on water conservation would
also check wastage. Aniket Saharan, Class IX, Army School, Ambala
Cantt. * * * * * * Fresh, clean water is an extremely precious resource and
would become a novelty if water is not conserved and wastage
checked. Eight out of 20 river basins in our country are already water
deficit. In 200 districts, the ground water levels have reduced anywhere
from 20 ft. to 1000 ft. in past 20 years. Communities, both urban and
rural are thirsting for water. We have made no serious effort to
utilise and conserve the rain water. India receives 1869 billion cubic
meters of water flows annually, 85 per cent of which flows into the sea.
Indiscriminate use of ground water is turning green lands into pockets
of barrenness and salinity. Inadequate water charge to the consumers
cause water wastage. If water scarcity is not to become a dreadful
reality we must immediately alter agricultural buying and pricing
policies that discourage water guzzling crops, convince village
communities to grow only such crops that do not deplete local water
resources, start paying higher rates for the water we consume, start
harvesting and conserving natural water flows at community level,
increase both government and private investments for building,
preserving and distributing water flows. * * * * *
* Qudrat Paul, Class VII, St.
Anne's Convent School, Chandigarh. Water is a prime natural
resource, basic human need and precious national asset. The purity and
quality of water is of primary concern to human beings as it is directly
related to his domestic needs and economic activities. Nature has given
us plenty of water but even then there is a shortage of water because we
have misused and polluted our water recourses to a get extent. The
surplus water in the rainy season causes flood while draught may occur
in the dry season. The management and conversation of water includes
integrated water shed plans for drinking, irrigation and industrial
uses, flood control, transferring surplus water to water deficit basins
by inter-linking of rivers, hydro-geological survey to identify
over-exploited areas, artificial charging of the ground water, mass
awareness programmes by public and private agencies. A leaking tap must
be repaired immediately because if it leaks slowly it wastes 400 litres
and a fast drips wastes 3000 litres per day. Manonit Kaur, Class
IX, Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * 'Water water nowhere,
and a lot of thirst to quench' appears to be the most befitting remark
on the eternal problem of water rarity, predominantly in the rural
locales. The meteoric population growth is now supplemented by another
terrible predicament that needs to be rectified as soon as possible.
Arid lands, desiccated water tanks and parched throats are what the
habitants of the rural segments in India frequently witness. The problem
of water paucity has risen because of us and the solution lies with us
as well. To begin with, rain water harvesting should be made a
compulsory practice Along with that, drip irrigation should be
introduced to reduce wastage of water. To complement these, small
dams can also be constructed on canals and rivulets. In areas of acute
water shortage, mobile tankers would prove to be very helpful. The
need of the hour is to join hands and fight this crisis since together
we can make a difference. Shrinkhla Narula, Class XII, Bhavan
Vidyalaya,
Chandigarh. * * * * * * Water covers 75 per cent of the surface of our planet
because of which Earth is often called the ‘Blue Planet’. Two third
of our body is made up of water. Hence water is essential to life.
Only one per cent of the Earth's water is available for drinking
purpose. Sadly even the limited source of water supply is contaminated
by chemicals, metals, micro organisms and other pollutants. Access to
adequate and safe drinking water has become a challenge despite several
steps taken by the Government in this regard. Every drop of water
matters a lot. We should not let taps open unnecessary without need.
Unknowingly we waste litres of water daily. We should put a brick or
filled plastic bottles with stop cork inside our flush-tank. By doing
so, almost one litre of water can be saved. If half of our daily city
population adopt this method then approximately two lakh one thousand
seven hundred seventy one, litres of water can be saved. The Chandigarh
administration is planning to replace the old flush tanks with small
sized tanks. So, now it our turn to co-operate with our Government and
save water because water is the balm of life. Remember, "If you
save water, you are saving your life." Hima Chaudhary, Class
VI, St. Stephen School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * In today's world, enough
water is not available to most of the population to meet even the basic
needs. Though nature has provided us sufficient quantity of water, we
are misusing it. As a result millions of people are dying without it.
Existing water resources are polluted by throwing garbage, industrial
waste, bathing, washing and other human activities. Each and every
drop of water is to be conserved. Water used for washing can be reused
to clean the cars, floors and watering the plants. Use of small
capacity flushing cistern in toilets can also help to save water. Avoid
over-flowing of overhead tanks and turn off the tap when not in use.
One of the methods of solving water problem in the cities is rain
water and roof water harvesting. By connecting the outlet pipe from
roof top to divert collected water to well or tubewell or bore well,
rain water can be stored for use later. Intelligent use of water, rain
water harvesting, new methods of irrigation, by growing more trees can
help in conserving water. Mayan Malik, Class IV, St. Anne's Convent
School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Many of us don't realize that water is the
scarcest resource in the world. Of the total water available on the
earth only 0.0007% is available for human consumption. According to
world wildlife funds statistics 1/5th of the equatorial forest were lost
between 1960 & 1990. As a result 31,000 plants and animals species
face the threat of extinction. The world environment day theme for the
year 2003 is water — two billion dying for it! This theme has been
chosen to support the United National International year of Fresh —
water. It calls on each of us to help safeguard the most precious gift
we got from the nature. For meeting the demand of drinking water, we
should adopt the processes like sedimentation, filtration,
chlorination. Ours being a primarily agrarian society calls for
educating the farmers about judicious and prudent use of water and the
ill -effects of flood irrigation, careful crop planning which is, less
water consuming where water is scarce. Sprinkle and drip irrigation
system should be used in agriculture. Reviving the old methods of digging
wells and community tanks should be adopted. Nidhi Sharma, Class VI
Our Lady of Fatima Convent High School, Patiala. *
* * * * * The entire India
faced problems of shortage of water this summer. Before wasting water we
should realise what it is costing us. We, as responsible citizens,
should try to save water wherever we can, whether it is at home, public
places or at schools. To conserve water certain advertisements should be
given on TV, radio and newspapers, so that people should become aware of
saving the most precious resource on earth. New techniques should be
invented, so that the water which is not proper for drinking can be used
in some fields. At home, we must use a bucket to bathe instead of
showers which result in a lot of wastage. Ramneek Multani, Class
IX, Guru Nanak Public School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Water is nectar for
mankind and one of the natural resources given by God. With the increase
in population and fast depleting natural resources, the time has come to
save water. We can conserve water by making underground tanks or wells
so that rain water can be stored in them through the drain pipes to save
it from wastage and evaporation. We should also set up more and more
water purifying stations in view of purifying dirty water for
reutilization. We should give importance to afforesation which is a
prerequisite for checking wastage and plays a major role in bringing
rains. Dinesh Singh, Class XII, Govt. Model Sr. Sec School,
Chandigarh. * * * * * * With the onset of summers, the requirement of water
shoots up. This problem is more acute in villages. Unchecked pollution
from industries and wrong use of underground water has resulted in
lowering the water table and wells are gradually drying up. Even fresh
water springs are unfit for human consumption. Earthen dams which
require very little investment, can be built. This water can be used for
farming as well. Children should be made to understand the important
need of water at junior level. Both in rural and urban areas, overhead
tanks should be made in such a way that rain water harvesting is
possible. Disconnection of water supply should be the only punishment
for anyone who wastes water. Adhiraj Dhawan, Class VII, St.
Stephen's School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Water is the most important
thing for the survival of mankind. Nowadays, water is being wasted. As a
result, it cannot reach the small villages which are very backward. We
can check water wastage by not being extravagant with usable
water. Harnessed rain water can by used for generating electricity,
watering plants, fisheries, tourism. The government should restrict the
number of wells and tube-wells because as their number is increasing the
level of ground water is also decreasing. So, let us make the citizens
of our country aware of these things and conserve as much water as you
can and never feel shy to do such things. Manikaran Singh, Class
VIII, DAV Model School,
*
* * * * * Water is one of the five
tatvas we are all made up of. Our blue planet is 70 per cent water.
Despite the fact that there is more water than earth surface our
geologists' predict water shortage in the coming years. We are all
aware that potable water is being wasted. Since we ourselves are the
culprits, we have to ensure that there is no wastage of water. Very
simple measures like closing the tap after use, using a bucket for
taking a bath instead of a shower, using minimum water for flushing
helps in minimising consumption. Rain water harvesting is another
effective method to conserve water. This will certainly help to raise
the water table. Similarly, the pollution of rivers should be checked.
Effluents of industries should be properly treated before discharging it
in the rivers. Amrita Singh, Class VIII, Convent of Jesus and Mary,
Ambala Cantt. Water fills the oceans, rivers, and lakes, and is
in the ground and the air we breathe. But most of it is salty while
whatever is available for consumption is being used up at a very fast
rate due to our carelessness. On an average, each person in a developed
country uses about 200 litre of water a day in the home. People have
found many ways to desalinate ( remove the salt from water ) seawater.
Desalination offers hope of relieving water shortages near seacoasts.
These processes produce fresh water from salt water. Freezing, which is
a kind of desalination, removes the water from the salt. Rainwater can
be stored in underground tanks and can be used later for irrigation.
Rivers should be controlled by building dams so that during monsoons
excess of water is routed through canals for irrigation. It will also
control floods and generate electricity. Trees have the capability of
holding water and releasing it during transpiration. But some illiterate
people believe that by setting these forests on fire, we can bring rain
and prevent scarcity of water. Every car washing station should have a
water recycling plant so that more cars can be washed by using less
water. We should try our best to use water economically. Sahil
Katyal, Class IX, St Anne's Convent School, Chandigarh. *
* * * * * Since
the "Save Water" campaign started appearing in The Tribune, I
have started looking around and noticed a few places where water can be
saved. Domestic help is in the habit of opening the taps full throttle,
while washing utensils, filling of water coolers and then moving to
attend to other jobs, leaving the water overflowing. Similarly water
used for mopping and car cleaning is thrown out as dirty water. This
water can be reused in a number of ways including watering of plants.
While helpers need to be educated on these issues, each student must
plant a sapling to promote afforestation. Stanzin Rabyang , Class
VIII, Saint Soldier International School, Chandigarh. *
* * * * * Water is
the most precious gift that God has given to us. Yet some people are
deprived of this gift because of carelessness and selfishness of the
others. Every morning when I go out for cycling,, I see people watering
lawns and washing cars without even thinking that of people who do not
even get water to drink. Moreover, some people living on ground floors
do not care for those who live on the upper floors. They keep taps
running even if water keeps flowing down the drains. This results in
water not reaching the upper floors. If we all pledge to stop wasting
water and start caring about those who do not get sufficient water even
for drinking, then things can improve. Aman Kharbanda , Class V,
YPS,
Mohali. * * * * * * It is quite true the water shortage is the biggest
problem today. Unless we take some steps, the problem cannot be
overcome. Water in which food is cooked should not be drained but used
for watering plants and while washing utensils, the tap should not be
kept running. Air conditioners should be used less frequently since
they increases temperature and consequently there is more evaporation of
water. Linking of rivers will solve the problem of drought in some
areas and flooding in other parts. We must harvest rain water by making
check dams on all possible water sources. We should have a long term
policy to protect our earth from global warming so that adequate rains
are available for each and every region. Shivani Pal, Class IX, Bathinda. *
* * * * * Earth is filled with two-thirds of water, but only
two per cent of it is potable. Next to air it is water without which
life is not possible. We should use water economically for washing
utensils, cars and watering lawns. Small children shouldn't be allowed
to take a bath alone as they waste too much water. It is the duty of
parents to teach their children the importance of water. It is observed
that in many schools most of the taps leak and do not close properly
which leads to wastage of water. So it is the responsibility of the
school authorities to make sure that the taps work properly. In public
places also, care should be taken to prevent the leakage of water. Since
plants help in conserving water so we must grow more and more plants. We
all should join water saving campaigns. Nikita Sharma, Class VII, St
Stephens School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Water has become a major problem
in cities and villages. It is fundamental to the very survival of every
human being, rich or poor, urban or rural life without water is
impossible. There has been 1100 to 1200 causalities in Andhra Pradesh
and Gujarat only because of absence of water whereas people in other
states are wasting water. Children in school should be taught how to
conserve water. A lot of water is wasted in a bathrooms and kitchens.
This water should be reused for other purposes. Harman Singh
Grewal, ICSE-2003 * * * * * * Imagine life in your home with no taps and no
toilets. This is how more than two billion people in the world have to
live. Such conditions cause severe health hazards and people,
particularly children, do not survive. We know ours is an agrarian
economy and there is great need of channelising the water properly
through dams and other methods. Most of the water reserves have been
polluted or are shrinking due to the irregular patterns in rainfall and
the increase in population. We all should try to make judicious use of
water at the time of performing domestic chores and try to create
awareness in the society about how to make proper use of water. Peeyush
Aggarwal, Class X, St. Peter's Academy, Patiala * * *
* * * We all talk and
write a lot about conservation of water but we forget about the wastage
of water we make. If we stop wasting water, I believe there will be
excess of water every where. We all waste water while brushing and
bathing and cleaning our houses. Washing of cars can be done once a
week, where as people prefer to wash it even twice a day. Last week, I
was in Kolkata and was astonished to learn that there are no water
charges in West Bengal. In fact water should be heavily charged for to
ensure it is not wasted. Every year, schools should undertake tree plantation
drives at various locations and a campaign to educate the
public for saving water should be undertaken at the level of the
government. Mahima Mehta, Class VII, Carmel Convent School,
Chandigarh. * * * * * * To save water is the need of the hour. We can begin
saving water in our homes and this can be extended to a larger area. At
our homes, water wastage starts in the morning, when we brush our teeth.
We can use a small mug instead of using the taps. We can water our
plants in our homes using water used earlier for washing veggies,
cereals. We can use rainwater. At commercial level, in hotels,
underground water reservoirs can be used. According to reports, more
than 70 per cent of rainwater in India is wasted. The government should
devise ways to ensure this wastage is checked and the water is utilised.
By the time govt. does its share, we should start saving water at
individual level. Prateek, Class X, Sri Aurobindo International
School, Patiala. * * * * * * Pollution has its origins in the Latin word
"poluere" which means contamination of any feature of
environment. Water is one of the most important resource we have. Poor
management of existing water resources can lead to running out or
atleast shrinking of these resources Developing countries like India
need to work on the sustainable ways to manage their natural resources.
Traditional habit of discharging untreated sewage and chemical wastes
directly into rivers, lakes, estuaries of oceans for eventual
assimilation into environment is no longer acceptable. This would solve
a lot of our water problems and make more water available for
mankind. Vaneeta Singh, Sant Nagar, Patiala. * *
* * * * There has been
one substantial element - "JAL" which has sustained life on Earth. Water
is he necessity of life; it's the driver of nature's
cycle. With the population explosion, ever mounting domestic,
industrial and agricultural consumption all natural resources especially
water are heading towards exhustion, putting our survival at stake.
Effective steps for water conservation need to be undertaken. Grow
more trees to improve the hydrological cycle. Comprehensive ground and
surface water protection programs need to be launched. Designation of
critical ground water areas will also help. Conservation can delay
desalination. So let’s come together to help nature to help us. Ruchi
Sharma, Class XII, Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh. * * *
* * * Water is truly
a wonderful substance. Plants and animals can survive for a very short
period without water. We should control the increasing pressure of
population on our natural resources. Rain water should be properly
harvested in the tanks s and afforestation to maintain and increase the
water table should be undertaken. Waste and sewage water from industries
should be treated in water treatment plants and should be recycled. Vidushi
Gupta, Class VII, St Anne's Convent School, Chandigarh. *
* * * * * Though 70
to 75 per cent of the earth's surface is water yet only three per cent
of it is fit for human consumption. But many people are unaware of this.
They use water resources as dustbins. Rivers, ponds, oceans, etc are
ruthlessly punished by throwing tonnes of sewage, garbage, etc into
them. In fact, the pure water is turned into poison that causes fatal
diseases like cholera. Lessening of rains and drying of wells are
further causing a water crisis. The only way to save India from water
crisis is to follow "Reduce Reuse, Recycle and Restore"
principle. Not only should we reduce our water consumption by not using
pipes to wash cars, etc. We should utilize dirty water by giving it to
plants. Dirty water of rivers and oceans ( specially) should be recycled
and again made fit for human consumption. Sukrit Singh Shah, Class
IX, Vivek High School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Although water is nature's
most wonderful, abundant and useful compound, yet it is the most misused
one. Out of the total water consumed by human beings, more than 50 per
cent of it is consumed by industrial activity and only a small portion
is used for drinking purpose. Water can be conserved by using and
reusing water, substituting a bucket for a hose, constructing earthen
dams to collect rain water and harvesting this water during the monsoon
season. Eshani Khandpur , Class VI St Kabir Public School,
Chandigarh. * * * * * * The Mercury is surging high and demand for water is
shooting up too. Truly stated-- "A stitch in time saves nine."
So, man should realise the worth of water and utilise it in the most
optimum manner instead of using running water to wash cars and water
lawns. Now, as the problem of water shortage has become more poignant,
the need is to conserve water in contour trenches and reservoirs.
Further, the pipelines carrying water to the cities should be checked
for any kind of punctures so that there is no wastage. Digging holes in
the ground and tunneling them so that water can be conserved in them and
protected from foreign elements is another alternative. Let's take an
earnest pledge to discard wasting water or else our earth would twirl to
another venus or ..mars. * * * * * * Komal Gulati, Class XII,
DAV Model School, Chandigarh. * * * * * * Everyone is aware of the fact that human activities
have caused a serious problem of water paucity. The first and foremost
step that can be taken in this direction is to minimise wastage. More
than 50 per cent of the fresh-water available is lost due to wastage.
Activities like watering gardens, washing vehicles, construction of
buildings, etc should be performed by recycled water. Deforestation has
proved very fatal on mankind . As such, more and more trees should be
planted. Also, awareness programmes should be launched and special
workshops should be held with regards to water crisis. Their is a lot of
ignorance prevailing on the ways in which common man can conserve water.
Educating the masses should be done at the sector level so that the
message reaches one and all It is the sole duty of the individuals and
the society to conserve water. We need not wait for anyone to make a
beginning. Every step taken in this direction will prove worthy for
mankind. Just remember, it is now and never and that there is no
tomorrow. Rhythem Pahwa, Class X, Stepping Stones School,
Chandigarh. |
|
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Vehicles stolen CHANDIGARH: Ram Avtar Bansal, a local resident, has reported that his Maruti car (CH-01-Q-0206) was stolen on Tuesday night. It was parked in front of his residence. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered. Harwinder Pal Singh, a resident of Sector 34-C, has reported that his Toyota Qualis (HR-61-HQ-6476(T), was stolen on Wednesday night. It was parked at his residence. A case has been registered. Arun Kumar, a resident Patiala, has reported that his mobile phone was stolen from his car, which was parked in front of the District Courts Complex, Sector 17, Chandigarh. A case has been registered. Cash snatched Bali Ram, a resident of Sector 29, has reported that two motor cycle-borne persons snatched cash Rs 700 from him on Thursday near the Tribune chowk. A case has been registered. Case registered A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC has been registered in the Sector 17 police station on the complaint of Ms Sanjay Sharda, a local resident, against accused Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Sector 46, who was caught red-handed while stealing a car stereo from his car. The accused has been arrested in this case. Assault case Hari Singh, a resident of Kajheri, has reported that Krishan Kumar and his father, Jai Kumar, both residents of Sector 52, allegedly assaulted him and his wife, Ram Wati, at his residence on Wednesday. A case under Sections 323, 325 and 34 of the IPC has been registered. Both the accused have been arrested. Liquor seized The police arrested Balwinder Kumar, a resident of Nawan Gaon Tapuria village in Nawanshahr districts from the ISBT, Sector 43, on Thursday and seized 25 pouches of liquor from his possession. A case has been registered. Five injured in
accidents Kalka Four youths, Kailash, Santosh, Vajinder and Satinder, in the age group of 20 to 24 years, were injured in a truck-car collision. Satinder, whose leg was fractured in the accident was rushed to the PGI. The accident took place on the national highway near Housing Board Colony. In another accident, an auto-rickshaw overturned on the Kalka-Chandigarh road, 1 km from here. Gabriel Murti, who was injured in the accident, was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Purse snatched SAS Nagar Ms Naresh Pathak, a resident of Phase IV, had alighted from a local bus and walking towards her house when the crime took place. It is reported that the purse contained cash and documents. The youths were wearing helmets. The police is investigating the case. |
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Woman commits suicide Chandigarh, July 18 The body has been sent to the General Hospital, Sector 16, for a post-mortem examination. The woman has been identified as Seema. Her husband Ram Gopal said she had been suffering from depression for the past few months. She was alone at the house when she hanged herself. |
New mobile phone
models to hit market Chandigarh, July 18 Mr Sharma said the company would launch four new models by the year-end, besides marketing digital fun cameras. The fun camera could take at least 300 photographs which could be sent to multi-media messaging services enabled phones, he revealed. Giving details about the mobile phones, he said the new models would be Nokia Engage, Nokia 6220 with data feed facility, Nokia 6000 with in-built video camera and Nokia 3300 with MP3 and FM radio. Mr Sharma said a network of 140 after-sale service centres too would be set up all across the country. In Punjab, the centres would be located at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Patiala. Replying to a query, Mr Sharma said Nokia was importing mobile phones and there were no immediate plans of manufacturing them within the country. He attributed this to the ‘’penetration’’ in the Indian market, which he said was a slow as two per cent compared to as high as 70 per cent in some of the Asian countries, including Indonesia and China. He said at present India had an organised and unorganised market of one million sets, which was insufficient for setting up a manufacturing unit. |
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Chandigarh, July 18