EDUCATION

Traders back students on varsity affiliation
Our Correspondent

Bhiwani, September 1
A complete bandh was observed by the traders of the main markets today in support of the students’ protest against the affiliation of colleges of the district to Sirsa University.

The Beopar Mandal Bhiwani gave its full support to the protest launched by the National Students Union of India, (NSUI) Bhiwani, and termed the agitation “as a right step”.

The Beopar Mandal had decided in its meeting held here yesterday to observe a bandh in order to support the students agitation as well as to protest the incidents of robberies that took place recently in the town.

Three days back, two sarafa agents were robbed of jewellery worth Rs. 4 lakh, and no arrest had been made in this case so far, despite assurance from the authorities. A delegation of the traders had met with the Superintendent of Police and sought his help in nabbing the culprits.

The members of NSUI took out a procession through the market under the leadership of its Haryana unit president, Mr Virender Kaushik.

The procession culminated at Jawahar Chowk, where the student leader lashed out at the present INLD government for its “dictatorial attitude” in implementing the affiliation orders, overlooking the opposition from the student community. He said travelling to Sirsa would be yet another burden for the students of the area.

He said that thousand of students of Distance Education programme had been left with no option after the MD University, Rohtak, closed down its programme here. He thanked the traders for their whole-hearted support in making the bandh “a total success”.

Leaders from the trading community including Ratan Lal Chaukhani, Kishan Pal Pahadi, Dharmbir Nehra, Vijay Kishan Saraf Dhareru, Anil Saraf, Roshan Lal Sharma assured the students of its support in their struggle on this issue.

They said that the law and order problem in the district had deteriorated and warned the government that they would be forced to launch an agitation if things did not improve.

Student leaders including Kuldeep Singh, Babloo Bhatnagar, Sunil Panwar and Rakesh Verma, Sarwar Kumar, Rajesh Tigrania extended their full
support to the traders on this issue.

Man gets six-yr RI for rape
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 1
A city court has sentenced a man to rigorous imprisonment for six years for raping his relative at knife-point in Central Delhi. Additional Sessions Judge (Mahila Court) Swaran Kanta has also ordered the convict Raj Kumar to pay a fine of Rs 4,000 after finding him guilty of the heinous crime.

The victim was a divorcee and was staying with her cousin. Raj Kumar is her cousin’s husband.

On August 7, 1997, late at night Raj Kumar entered the room of the victim at their residence in Paharganj and threatened her with a knife. He then raped her. However, when he was leaving the room, the woman raised the alarm, alerting the neighbours.

Raj Kumar tried to escape by jumping from the apartment which was on the first floor.

But he failed in his bid and broke both his legs, following which he was caught by the police.

After her divorce, the woman started staying with her cousin. The prosecution had examined 13 witnesses in the case.

Married woman gangraped

Faridabad: A married woman of Deegot village of the district was raped recently at knifepoint by three persons of the village.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim, the accused identified as Bhagat Singh, Nirot and Chhanga entered her house forcibly and raped her after brandishing a knife and threatened to kill her if she protested or told anybody. She said she was alone in the house at that time.

A case has been booked, but no arrest has been made so far.

CULTURE

Fashion shows add zing to changing lifestyle in city
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, September 1
Fashion shows held here may not be as glamorous as those held in Mumbai and Delhi, but the concept seems to have caught the imagination of the youths here, who want to cash in on the vast array of opportunities that it provides.

Apart from the fashion shows organised by professional companies, it has become a common feature in most of the colleges, polytechnics, private institutes and schools in the city. In fact, fashion shows have become the “best way to get publicity” for any product or organisation.

The fashion industry in Faridabad is still at a very primitive stage, although there are some well-known garment manufacturers and fashion designing institutes that have shown keen interest in promoting these events in the city.

As taste was getting branded, the young generation had increased its ability to spend on lifestyle and sport the latest trend in fashion, said Rajiv Chawla, who keeps in touch with the fashion world in the NCR region. He said it was indicative of the new confidence among the new generation in the city.

The closeness of the city to the national Capital was affecting the lifestyle of the citizens in Faridabad. It was particularly affecting the youths in the city, he said.

However, he said the standard of fashion shows held in the city had “a long way to go” as most of these events were being used purely for publicity, as “it had the ability to bring the crowd”.

The first professional fashion show in Faridabad was held in December 1995 as part of the industrial fair (FARINDEX), in which well-known models including Anupama Verma and Marc Robinson took part. The industrial fair which is now normally held during the winter season as part of the ‘Tradefest’, is well-known for its well-attended fashion show.

The “culture of fashion show” has swept the youths, who have made it an integral part of their lifestyle.

It is reported that the town has over 50 units, which are involved in the manufacture of garments.

While some of these are 100 per cent export oriented, many of them supply their products to well-known labels in the garment industry. Few units are in the business of producing and marketing leather and fashion accessories.

The National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFD) has two centres in the district, providing degree and diploma in Fashion.