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September 8, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Run-up to PU poll Chandigarh, September 7 The reason being that there have been no major alliances for the first time ever since the election process recommenced in 1997. According to estimates, the total number of students associated with Himachal Pradesh in the university was around 1,000, including hosteler and day scholars. Keeping in mind that the university has around 5,900 total voters and over 60 per cent cast their votes, the number of Himachalis here can have a huge bearing on the final outcome. Factionalism among Himachal Pradesh students came to the fore today with one group led by Hardeep working out alignment options with the Panjab University Student Union, while the other group with PUSU led by Vijay Chauhan. The Himachal Pradesh Student Union led by Deepak Rawat was the first one to announce its alliance with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad this time. Factionalism is not a new phenomenon on the campus. PUSU had earlier fragmented into Panjab University Student Association. This time, the Sandhu group has formed an independent PUSU. On the other hand SOPU witnessed the emergence of the Association of Panjab University Students (APUS) and the Haryana Student Union. With the three organisations contesting independently, the division of votes is imminent and Himachalis could have a significant bearing on the final result. Deepak Rawat, president of the HPSU, said: “Ours is the original body which was formed last year. The organisation organised information camps during admissions and even visited colleges throughout last year. We also organised blood donation camps. We have tied up with the ABVP only because they have taken non-violence as the key issue and violence has become rampant in student politics here. The HPSU is a known face among students. So there will be no confusion and students will speak through their votes.” The Himachal Student Union (HIMSU) is another new party on the scene this time. Vijay Chauhan, president, was associated with the HPSU last year and even occupied the post of joint secretary in last year’s student council. This time he has parted ways with the Malwinder Kang group of PUSU under whose banner he had contested last year. He has instead joined the Gurparvez Singh Sandhu group. Chauhan said the HPSU had become a party to serve the interests of one man (Deepak Rawat). “He was engaged in promoting self-interest alone, as was evident from his shifting stance each year. We are concerned about the student community in general and promotion of interest from Himachal Pradesh in particular. I left Kang because he never talked to us on any matter after assuming the office.” The third group of students from Himachal Pradesh that has hogged the limelight is led by Sudarshan Thakur. He said: “We were never interested in politics. The HPSU tied up with the ABVP without taking students into confidence. Even while organising other functions we were never taken into confidence. So, we have decided to part our ways.” |
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PUSU election office inaugurated Chandigarh, September 7 However, the Sandhu faction seemed unfazed by the presence of seniors claiming the majority was with it. Also present on the occasion in the Kang camp was Jaskaran Singh Brar, a former president (1983-1987). Brar said PUSU was the oldest and the most trusted student body on the campus. He appealed to the Sandhu faction not to play into the hands of the opponents and spoil the name of the organisation. At least two student groups broke away from the Himachal Pradesh Student Union led by Deepak Rawat. The group led by Vijay Chauhan announced the formation of the Himachal Student Union (HIMSA), while the other group formed the Himachal Pradesh Student Association (HPSA). One group has tied up with the ABVP, while HIMSA has tied up with the Sandhu faction of the PUSU. The Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) today dispatched handwritten agenda to various newspaper offices. The priority has been underlined as creation of conducive academic atmosphere on the campus. There is a talk about giving scholarships to financially weak students. SOPU has underlined its aim to work for creation of a grievance redressal cell for students. There is also a demand of giving representation to students in the university Senate and the Syndicate. The Himachal Pradesh Student Association gave a list of its office-bearers. They are: chairman — Joginder Pal Singh; convener — Sudershan Thakur; president — Vijay Karan; vice-presidents — Preeti Sood and Piyush Kaushal; and general secretaries — Ravinder Thakur and Sweta Arya. |
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Driver of car that killed couple
hospitalised SAS Nagar, September 7 Mr H.K. Singh and his wife Kiranjot Kaur were killed when the scooter they were riding collided with a Maruti car. Their 11-month-old child had a miraculous escape. Police officials had earlier said that the driver and two other occupants of the car had fled the scene. The car driver, Charandeep Singh, was admitted to a hospital at Sohana with injuries yesterday and was shifted to Fortis Hospital here today.
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After vasectomy it’s oral contraceptives Chhat Bir, September 7 After having failed to stop the breeding of the cats even after conducting vasectomy on over two dozen Asiatic lions in the past six years, the zoo authorities have finally started administering powdery contraceptive to the female cats. The authorities have been feeding the contraceptive by sprinkling it on the food. Taking serious note of the unsuccessful sterilisation programme, the authorities had conducted family planning operations on semi-adult and adult lions last year but could not restrict the breeding of lions. Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Director of the zoo, said the administering of contraceptives was being done as per the Central Zoo Authorities guidelines. “Only the animals that have conceived in a month or two are being given contraceptives. Those which have conceived over two and a half months ago are not disturbed”, claimed Mr Kuldeep Kumar. |
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Fight
against terror in decisive phase Chandigarh, September 7 “Cross-border terrorism and our combat against terrorism are both entering a decisive phase and last fortnight’s happenings are a pointer to this as the security forces are prevailing and terrorists are on the run and stepping up violence in desperation”, BJP national spokesman Prakash Javadekar said here today. Mr Javadekar said the militants were feeling the heat, especially after the Parliament attack mastermind Gazi Baba was killed in in Srinagar recently, adding, that “terrorists are desperate. They are witnessing the turn of events in the valley and people’s yearning for return of peace.” After the election, nearly 1 lakh tourists had visited the valley, the Amarnath yatra had been a success and the facility of mobile phone had been provided. The valley had also been the venue for the Congress Chief Ministers meeting and the Inter-State Council meeting. “The operational (security) agencies have been given a free hand to deal with terrorism and all this is frustrating the designs of the militants,” he said. The seizure of explosives in Delhi, Mumbai, and various other parts of the country was an indication of the fight against terrorism. Questioning Pakistan’s sincerity about normalising relations with India, Mr Javadekar blamed the neighbouring country for its continued support to terrorist activities. He denied the Congress charge that
the NDA Government was tying to topple the NDA Governments in several
states, saying that the centre had assured during the inter-state
convention in Srinagar that it would not use Article 356 arbitrarily.
He said internal bickerings within the Congress were on the rise in
Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Mukut Mithi government of the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh had
collapsed under its own weight. |
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Pracheen Kala Kendra gets swanky new address Chandigarh, September 7 Built at a cost of more than Rs 4 crore, the complex will be formally inaugurated next week. It boasts of all modern facilities, including guest rooms, indoor auditoria, library and reference section, audio-visual recording studio and hostel facilities for foreign and Indian students. For Mr
M.L. Koser, Secretary-cum-Registrar of Pracheen Kala Kendra, the commissioning of the new complex is a dream come true because, more than anything else, it is a symbol of the success of his idea and vision and a tribute to his sense of dedication and hard work spanning more than 45 years. An accomplished dancer of repute, he has performed before some of the top personalities of the country, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Dr S. Radhakrishnan. True to his style, Mr Koser is organising a five-day festival of music beginning September 12 to mark the event which will bring to the city some of the best-known names in the world of art and culture. They include Shovana Narayan
(kathak), Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (mohan veena), Wadali brothers (sufi
gayan), Saroja Vaidyanathan (bharatnatyam) and Rajendra Gangani (kathak). Since its modest beginning in 1957, the kendra has grown into a premier institution with a network of more than 3,500 affiliated centres located all over the country and abroad, which regularly conduct the
kendra-prescribed examinations every year. “Affiliation is granted to such academies and institutions after proper assessment of their infrastructure and facilities for training,” says Mr
Koser. Approximately two lakh students are at present on the rolls of these affiliated academies. “The students who successfully complete training in music, dance and fine arts appear in the
Bhushan, Visharad and Bhaskar examinations of the kendra, which have been recognised by a number of state governments, state education boards and chartered universities as requisite qualifications for appointment as lecturers and teachers in educational institutions,” he points out. The head office of the kendra is at present housed in its
five-storey complex in Sector 35-B, Chandigarh, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 40 lakh with financial assistance provided by the Department of Culture, Government of India. The kendra also been holding the prestigious All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan annually for the past 27 years, which has served as a platform for almost all leading art luminaries. |
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Admn in a spot over Infosys
park project Chandigarh, September 7 The administration has decided to continue with the project. Some officials, however, admit that with the new controversy, the administration will be in a spot over the allotment of land to the Infosys, since the Punjab Government is already offering better concessions to the company to attract it to SAS Nagar. The Administration had reportedly given an undertaking to the Supreme Court that it will not allot plots for industrial purposes directly or indirectly, till the case of 251 allottees of industrial plots was not decided in the high court, who were allotted plots in 1982 on a disputed land. The Chandigarh Industrial Plots (1982) Allottees Supreme Court Appellants Association, in a contempt notice served on the Finance Secretary Karan Avtar Singh has threatened to approach the Supreme Court saying that they should be allotted land first, as per the undertaking given by the administration on January 20 this year. Mr Karan Avtar Singh, when contacted, expressed his ignorance about the contempt notice served on him and said, “I am not aware of any new controversy over the Infosys project.” In a letter to UT Finance Secretary, Mr P. L. Nayyar, President, Chandigarh Industrial Plots (1982) Allottees Supreme Court Appellants Association, said,‘‘We have been denied the possession of plots since 1982 in spite of the fact that a substantial amount of money was deposited with administration. Though the land was available with the administration, but every time we were offered only disputed land.” He alleged that administration had violated the SC ruling by allotting land to the Infosys, which had clearly said in its order dated February 18, 2002, that the allotment of land to more than 251 allottees, (members of the association) of March 27, 1991 draw should be stayed. The Administration has reportedly submitted before the Supreme Court that it had acquired 70 acres of land in Kishangarh/ Manimajra village in 1977 that was earmarked for the Chandigarh Technology Park in 2002. |
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Rs 30-crore railway bridge inspection system initiated Chandigarh, September 7 According to sources, BIMS, which would cost Rs 30 crore, is scheduled to be undertaken over the next five years. The new system will be a far cry from the present system of assessing the state of bridges simply by visual inspections. Besides underwater inspection of bridges, the project will also involve mapping of unknown foundations as well as testing the integrity of the foundations. Sources said non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, including like ultra-sonics, acoustic emission, strain gauging and radar would be introduced. Techniques to calculate the fatigue and residual life of bridges were also being introduced. Mobile bridge testing laboratories (MBTL); possessing some of the NDT equipment, had been approved for all 16 railway zones in the country. Each railway zone would be provided with at least one MBTL for which a requirement of another Rs 90 crore had been projected. Two such units had so far been sanctioned. Of the 1.2 lakh bridges, 565 are graded as important 9792 as major and the rest as minor bridges. As many as 44 per cent of the bridges (including 327 important and 3545 major) are over 100 years old, while 74 per cent (about 89,000) are over 80 years old. |
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The city hosted the President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, much to the excitement of the residents. School children wanted to meet him. Almost everybody in the city laden with politicians and bureaucracy wanted to “see” the scientist-turned-President. A grandson of a Haryana politician tagged along with his politico grandpa who was among the people scheduled to receive the President at the airport. At the PGI where the President met city teachers school children just hung around. One of them wanted to give a flower but security considerations do not take care of emotions. The security said a stern “no”. The teachers expected that the President would come down the stage and interact with them. This was not to be. The officials were in a tizzy. One of them rung up the PGI and asked them to switch on the airconditioning at 2 p.m. His argument. The huge Bhargava Auditorium takes at least two hours to cool. The Acting Director of the PGI and Prof R.J. Dash received the silver-haired President. People caught in traffic jams waited in awe for the Presidential carcade to go past. Promotion blues With the selection and promotion process at the PGI remaining a controversial issue, it is not just the doctors appearing before the interview board who are facing anxious moments but their families too are sharing these promotion blues. Anonymous letters from these doctors and their wives are being received by newspapers offices, alleging favouritism and discrimination in promotions, interviews for which were held for four days in August. Even before the result is out, the doctors are already pointing fingers at the manner in which set procedures were not followed, while selecting the name of experts who were on the interview panel. To top it all, the manner in which a circular was issued by the PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, directing faculty members, appearing before the promotion committee not to make any attempts to woo the experts. The doctors, had been warned that in case anybody was found to be lobbying for their promotion, strict action would be taken.
New Director The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32 finally has a new Director Principal, Prof H.M. Swami, even if it is just a stopgap arrangement. He will be officiating till a regular appointment is made through the Union Public Service Commission. “The very fact that Prof S.B.S. Mann, who was the Director Principal, while on deputation from the PGI, has been sent back, is a victory for us, as we wanted that everyone should get a fair chance. With the selection being made through the UPSC, we all can apply,” opine the senior doctors at the GMCH. The senior faculty at the GMCH had for the past some time been demanding that the Director Principal should be a regular appointment and not a deputation posting. They had raised the matter even with the Union Health Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, seeking her intervention. Even if an outsider gets the post, as it is open to anyone from India, we will have no regrets as after all it will be a deserving person, they point out.
Polling time Campaigning for elections to the Panjab University Campus Student Council is fun time for outsiders from the local colleges. Each of the prominent student organisations has scores of supporters from outside who are having “gala time” on the campus. Amit Singh, student from a local college, said it was nice to be associated with the senior students. Travelling in open jeeps, raising slogans and moving in groups gave a sense of authority which was refreshing from the routine college activities. In another case a very senior student, now an outsider, is busy in working out the campaign trail of his brother. He chalks out the daily programme in addition to ferrying and display of campaign related material. Certain fellows of the university known to be the faces behind the student bodies are known to be in regular touch with their groups and guide them daily.
Garbage disposal gets pricey The Municipal Corporation should not blame the residents of southern sectors in case it finds the roadsides littered. Although the problem of garbage disposal is being faced by almost all residents of these sectors, the problem seems to be graver in Sector 33 where the MC has done away with most of the dustbins. Within a span of about 4 km from the main market area of Sector 33, there are no garbage disposal sites, which clearly means that the residents have to make some other arrangements for the clearance of dirt from their houses. The problem has given rise to a strange phenomenon wherein people collecting garbage have suddenly started acting extremely pricey, much to the displeasure and discomfort of residents. Until about two months back, every employee responsible for collection and disposal of garbage from homes was charging between Rs 15 and 25 per month, depending on the sub sector. He is now easily charging between Rs 30 and 45 per month. In some extreme cases, people are also paying up Rs 60 per month for garbage disposal.
More than business It was interesting to see international experts on environment and vocational education share concerns other than professional. In the city recently to discuss issues in the UNESCO’s international Asia project for integrating environment education in vocational education, the experts from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and India talked about their respective traditions, exchanging heartening notes on various aspects. The three-day workshop organised by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) was not just about evolving a curriculum for Asian schools, but also about learning to share traditions. No wonder that every day the international participants were too happy to participate in the cultural presentation, made by students from Chandigarh colleges. Not only did they witness the cultural show, they very much became a part of it, often trying to establish similarities between their dance traditions and those of India’s. The most interesting part was that each expert at least learnt to greet the other in his native language.
Have a drink The recent controversy over the presence of pesticides in the soft drinks had encouraged a large number of youth to shift towards bottled milk drinking. But some of them were shocked in the city, when they found that they could not even get a bottle of milk at the leading restaurants and stores. One of the Panjab University students was heard making a dig at the publicity slogan of Verka ‘ Peeni hai taan dudh de bottle peo’ at the Student Centre. He said,” since we cannot have even a bottle of milk, when we do not want to take a Coke or Pepsi, should we start taking liquor bottles available in plenty?”
— Sentinel |
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Sharing the joy of Onam Chandigarh, September 7 As one partakes the feast served heart warmingly by Keralites, one is treated to the history lying beneath the age-old Onam tradition, which owes its existence to the Asura king Mahabali. Anxious over the rising popularity of Mahabali who ruled over a prosperous Kerala, Lord Indra requests Vishnu to arrest the demon king’s influence. Incarnating as a vamana (dwarf) brahmin, Vishnu descends upon the land of Kerala, to be greeted by a generous Mahabali, who asks him to make a wish. The Lord asks for three steps of his land. Granting the wish to an unassuming brahmin, Mahabali lands into trouble. The Lord measures the earth with one step, the ‘paataal’ with another and has no space to take the third. In all humility, Mahabali offers his head, on which Vishnu rests the third step, thus burying the king into earth. Vishnu, however, cannot deny Mahabali a boon. The ‘asura’ king asks the Lord to allow him to return to his kingdom once a year so as to see if his people were prosperous enough. It’s during Onam that Mahabali revisits Kerala, where people celebrate his visit for 10 days from Avittam to Thiruvonam (that falls tomorrow). The Kerala Samajam, Chandigarh, chose a Sunday for celebrations because it is convenient to assemble and enjoy. The president of the samajam, Mr A.V. Sankaranarayanan, informed: “Back home in Kerala, every house must celebrate Onam in the best way possible. They must reflect prosperity by wearing the best clothes, preparing the best food and making rangolis. Here in Chandigarh, we prefer to raise a joint celebration than those in individual households”. The cultural show was put together by young girls and small children, who were trained by Tara Sankara, Asha and Nisha. Tara Sankara was herself a part of the first group song which was a musical celebration of Onam. Said Sankara: “Rangolis, pukkalam, as we call them, are a very significant part of Onam. We use real flowers for decoration, no artificial colours. Also the traditional feast is a virtual offering to king Mahabali”. After the songs and dances, presented in the honour of the chief guest, a former Kerala Governor, Justice S.S. Kang, by Sruti, Anjali, Sikha, Aarti, Surya, Archana, Pooja, Anjali and Anupama, came Kaikottikali, the dance presentation which forms a quintessential part of Onam celebrations. Literally meaning dancing with claps, the presentation is traditionally made by girls, who clap as they dance around ‘pukkalam’. However, today it was presented on a recorded Malyali song by Bindiya, Neethi, Nishu, Siju, Ranchana, Anu, Sangeetha, Arunima, Savitha and Poornima. The celebrations ended with the feast, traditionally served on banana leaves. Cooked mainly by men, the feast comprised 21 delicacies, including two types of pickles (ginger and lemon), vegetables prepared with use of banana, jimikand and coconut. The ritual wrapped up, with the service of two desserts, traditionally called ‘payasam’. Made of rice and jaggery, the ‘payasam’ marks a sweet end to Onam festivity, which will conclude with Thiruvonam tomorrow. |
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Reorient Tibet policy, says support group Chandigarh, September 7 The conference appealed to the Prime Minister Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to resume fresh talks with China on the Tibetan
cause. The conference also appealed to the Union Government to “reorient its policy towards Tibet from expression of sympathy to extending political pro-active support”. The delegates unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union Government to review the joint declaration signed in Beijing between India and China this year to remove any doubts about the future of Tibet. It was felt that India should facilitate conclusive negotiations, without any pre-conditions, between Tibetan government-in-exile and the China by appointing a coordinator on Tibet, as soon as possible. In his address Prof Samdhong Rimpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, said the Sino-Indian relations held great significance and this platform could be positively utilised to save Tibet. “We not only hope support from India, but also from several sections in China, which are willing to listen to our demands for autonomy to Tibet”, he said. Appreciating the Dalai Lama’s suggestions to convert Tibet into “a zone of Ahimsa” (non-violence), the adopted resolution recognised the 2200 years of spiritual, cultural, traditional and economic bond between Tibet and India and invaluable role of Tibet as a buffer state between India and China. More than 170 delegates from 15 states across the country participated in the three-day conference. The groups included the Core Group of Tibetan cause, the India-Tibet Friendship Society and the Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet. The conference also adopted a 11-point programme which included sending one lakh postcards to the Prime Minister appealing him to initiate fresh talks with China. China’s fresh attempts to establish a rail link between Beijing and Tibet was rejected. It was also felt that encouraging mining companies in Tibet was a step towards environmental degradation. Addressing a press conference later, Prof Rimpoche said India could play a key role in establishing Asia as the main controlling area in the world. He said there were indications from China in the recent past showing that they were willing to listen. |
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Step up vigil, petrol station owners told Chandigarh, September 7 According to information, at a meeting called by the DSP, South, Mr SS Randhawa, the owners were asked to appoint an armed security guard and depose of cash at regular intervals. Mr Randhawa said the owners were asked to install sodium vapour lamps for better visibility during night hours. Experts on security devices like sirens and cameras were also called at the meeting to brief the owners on the security gadgets available in the market. The PCR and beat constables have been asked to keep a vigil at the petrol stations. A similar meeting of east and north subdivisions was called by the DSP (East), Mr SC Abrol. The owners were asked to provide mobile hand-sets to attendants on night duty. Meanwhile, the police has prepared computer portraits of the two suspects who robbed Rs 70,000 from the Sector 52 petrol station. Assistance of the police from Panchkula, Ropar and Patiala has been sought to identify the suspects. |
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100 jhuggis demolished SAS Nagar, September 7 |
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Two injured in clash Dera Bassi, September 7 Raghuvir Singh and Rajinder Singh sustained head injuries in the clash and were taken to the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi. They were later referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Villagers said some persons, led by Neeru Deen, a driver from Chhat village, used iron rods and steel pipes in the clash that resulted in injuries to Raghuvir Singh and Rajinder Singh. The police has not registered any case so far. Assault case:
The Dera Bassi police has booked a panchayat member of Haripur Hindiuan village for assaulting and threatening a resident of the same village with dire consequences. Mangat Ram has been booked on the complaint of Mr Ram Lal under Sections 341, 323 and 506 of the IPC. Mr Ram Lal has alleged that the member panchayat had assaulted him after a scuffle over community policing issue on Saturday night. Chandigarh Theft cases:
Joginder Singh, a resident of Sector 49, has reported to the police that his Maruti car (CH-01K-3347) was stolen from outside Sector 47 gurdwara on Tuesday. In another case, Anurag Naresh, a resident of Panjab University, has reported that his stereo, video cassettes, a CD, a mobile phone and a pair of goggles were stolen from his Tata Sumo on Saturday. A case has been registered. Assaulted:
Ram Lal Sethi, a resident of Anandpur Sahib Complex, Kajehri, has reported that he was assaulted by Vikas Arora, a resident of Sector 45, and Kamlesh, a resident of Anandpur Sahib, near the Kajehri dispensary. Suicide bid:
Sanjay Sethi, a resident of Sector 27, has reported that his brother, Dharambir, had attempted to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on his body on Friday. Dharambir, who received burn injuries, was admitted to the PGI. Kidnapped:
A resident of Panchkula in a complaint lodged at the Sector 26 police station has alleged that Suneet Kumar, a resident of Lower Kabari mohalla, Kalka, has abducted his daughter from near the Technical Teachers Training Institute, Sector 26. A case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 26 police station. |
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Case against
driver of killer ambulance Kharar, September 7 As per the statement of Rajwinder Singh, a constable, the Balongi police post was informed at around 10 pm that an accident had taken place involving a motor cycle. Constable Gurdeep Singh and others rushed to the spot and sent the injured to the Kharar Civil Hospital. With the help of one Satish Kumar of SAS Nagar, he tried to remove the motor cycle that was lying in the middle of the road. While they were doing so, an ambulance coming from SAS Nagar hit them. Constable Gurdeep Singh, Satish Kumar and Avtar Singh died on the spot. The driver of the ambulance and another passenger on it were critically injured. The injured have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital. |
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