MARKET - 32
A happening market of southern belt standing on its sheer size
A well-carpeted parking lot of a football ground's size and more than 150 shops and as many offices make it one of the biggest and happening markets in the southern belt of the city. Surprisingly, the shopkeepers here feel their competition is either with the defence canteen in general items and Sector 46 in food articles.

A scene of the main market of Sector 32. 
— Photo Pankaj Sharma

Placement Officer in PU sacked
Chandigarh, July 23
The Panjab University Business School has sacked Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Placement Officer, following complaints of misappropriation of funds. There are also complaints against him about favouritism extended to certain girl students and irregularities in the placement interviews. The complaint has been signed by at least 90 students.

2004 to be Science Popularisation Year
Chandigarh, July 23
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is likely to announce 2004 as Science Popularisation Year here during the National Science Congress scheduled to begin here on January 3.

College teachers’ union organises dharnas
Chandigarh, July 23
The local chapter of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union organised dharnas in protest against the anti-higher education policies of the Punjab Government, today.


Members of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union protest against the anti-higher education policy of the Punjab Government at GGDSD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

All city quota seats at PEC filled
Chandigarh, July 23
Seats in all nine disciplines available at Punjab Engineering College were filled on the second day of the admissions on the college campus here today.

Sainik Welfare Office to give scholarship
Chandigarh, July 23
A one time grant of scholarship of Rs 3,600 will be awarded by the Zila Sainik Welfare Office to the wards of ex-servicemen or widows living here. Those who have passed Class X and Class XII examinations during March, 2003, with minimum of 60 per cent marks and are studying in the next higher class will be eligible for the scholarship. 

COURTS

Bhardwaj denied bail, co-accused gets it
Chandigarh, July 23
Stating that “there is every likehood that the accused, if released on bail, may threaten the witnesses to pressurise them or persuade them to dissuade them from deposing in a particular fashion”, the UT CBI Special Judge, Mr R.S Baswana, dismissed the bail application moved by suspended Judicial Magistrate of the UT, S.S. Bhardwaj, in a corruption case registered against him by the CBI.

Class of '84 — talking friendship all the way
Chandigarh, July 23
It's hard to believe that Class of '84 is Rahul da Cunha's debut play as a writer. Harder still is to believe that words can be handled with such precision. As long as they can be, life would really be worth living for as it was today. Today's production also came from the kitty of Rahul da Cunha who has a sure way with words.

The characters of Rahul da Cunha's play, Class of '84, enact the saga of friendship on stage at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

FM revolution sweeps region
Chandigarh, July 23
Radio is on a comeback trail, slowly but surely. And this time, it is here to stay even though it still cannot compete with its more glamorous and colourful cousin, the television. It was on this day in 1927 that the first news broadcast took place from a private radio station owned by the Indian Broadcasting Service (IBS) in Mumbai.

• Radio Day celebrated

Saakshi loves her new-found image
Chandigarh, July 23
She represents a phenomenon that is invading millions of Indian homes these days. Reflecting the power of the small screen, Saakshi Tanwar, does not fail to mention how she loves her new-found life and image. Playing lead roles in two of the most happening serials on television, this Delhi-based girl stands tall, with all her dignity and charisma. Call her the ‘Parvati’ of Ekta Kapoor’s ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki,’ running on Star TV or the ‘Devi’ of Ajay Devgan’s Devi, being aired on Sony TV Saakshi Tanwar is your quintessential Indian woman.

Saakshi Tanwar, the leading lady of many TV serials, lights a lamp during her visit to the city. — Photo Manoj Mahajan

HEALTH

New GMCH block to be ready by Aug 14
Chandigarh, July 23
Even though the UT Engineering Department is working overtime to meet the August 14, deadline for the completion of Block-C at Government Medical College and Hospital, but without the recruitment of additional doctors, nurses and technicians, the real purpose behind the whole exercise could be defeated.

20 pc kids suffer from renal failure
SAS NAGAR, July 23
About 20 per cent of children suffer from renal failure and the most common renal disease among children is nephritoc syndrome. This was stated by Dr V.J.S. Virdi, who recently returned after completing his paediatric nephrology fellowship at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, while talking to mediapersons here today.

Helping kids overcome learning disability
Chandigarh, July 23
ODE (Optimising Development in Education), an NGO dealing in the field of learning disability, has started a centre for integrated education at Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula.

Hockey academy at DAV-8
Chandigarh, July 23
A new hockey academy for boys has been launched at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, Chandigarh. Giving the details, Mr Ravinder Talwar, principal of the school, said earlier they used to concentrate on cricket, football, handball, basketball, but with the revival of glorious performance by Indian hockey players, now this sport has caught attention of many promising youngsters. 

ADMINISTRATION

Trees planted to check encroachments
Chandigarh, July 23
Trees are being planted to protect the land freed from encroachers. The Chandigarh Administration, today started a plantation drive in the area where encroachments have been removed. In the first phase, a total of 5000 saplings of varieties of neem, jamun, sheesham, dek and will be planted.