NSS project empowers Janata Colony women
Chandigarh, December 17
“Pragati” is progressing with every NSS camp of Punjab Engineering College, making more pickle, generating greater funds and empowering illiterate women of Janata Colony.

Bicycle patrolling loses steam
Chandigarh, December 17
The much-hyped Chandigarh police tourist support initiative seems to be losing steam with the bicycle-mounted patrolling policemen having to do with non-functional headlights and hooters while on patrol. Even the special uniform designed for them on the pattern of the British Police does not seem to be in use.

A policeman patrols on his bicycle at the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Pick up alluring bells, candles and stars for the bash
Your eager hands have already picked up nice stockings and toys to fill them up. You have also soaked raisins in rum for baking that soft and fluffy cake without using eggs. The driver has also been asked to bring home the Christmas tree. But you still do not know how to decorate the branches and make other arrangements for the grand Christmas bash you wish to throw on December 25.

City youngsters pick up decorations for Christmas tree in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

16 structures demolished

In-laws held in dowry case
Zirakpur, December 17
Following the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the police today rounded up three members of a family residing in Preet Nagar Colony, here, involved in a dowry case. The trio, including husband of the complainant, have been booked under Sections 406, 498-A and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

Panel on fee hike to seek legal opinion
Chandigarh, December 17
The committee constituted to look into the fee hike in colleges of the city, decided today to seek legal opinion on the issue of jurisdiction in framing fee structure. Unable to establish whether the Administration is empowered to propose and decide fee structure in city colleges affiliated to Panjab University, the committee decided to meet again on December 22.

Hamara School
Grooming students for a stronger nation
“As a strong foundation is a must for constructing a sound building, quality education to children is a must for building a strong nation.” With this objective in mind, Little Blossoms School was set up in 1988 in the house of Ms Narinder Kaur Bedi at Kharar.

A view of Little Blossoms School, Kharar. —  Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

‘We give due importance to teachers’
I started the school as a hobby and to ensure that children at Kharar did not face the kind of problems my own children had to due to inadequate educational facilities in the town.

Narinder Kaur Bedi, Principal

Singapore youths gift fitness park to elderly
Chandigarh, December 17
For the first time, 32 inmates of the Old Age Home, Sector 15 today got a unique gift — a fitness park to keep them in good health. The park based on the acupressure technique, was built by 18 youths from Singapore in a span of just 15 days. Besides, the youths also helped the home in its day-to-day functioning.

Science wizard contest on Jan 25
Chandigarh, December 17
The Council for Promotion of Young Talent will organise the annual Dr Homi J. Bhabha memorial Science wizard Contest-2004 on January 25 for Class X students. The council has invited all schools of northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana and Himachal to send their students for the contest. A trophy will be awarded to the school sending first merit holder in this examination, according to a spokesman of the council.

Founder’s week celebrations
Chandigarh, December 17
In continuation with the celebrations of the “Founder’s week”, students and staff of Dutt Vishesh School, Sector 26, here today, had a day full of fun. The students participated in an “obstacle race” while the staff took part in musical chairs and the tug-of-war. “Passing the parcel” was organised for the office staff.

COURTS

10-yr RI for raping minor
Chandigarh, December 17
A city resident, Mata Badan, was today sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor by the UT Additional District and Sessions Judge. The accused, a resident of Attawa village, was also fined Rs 5,000.

Triple murder: judicial remand for Aroras
Panchkula, December 17
Mr Gulab Singh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Panchkula, today remanded two suspects in Panchkula triple murder case, Dr Vinod Arora and Amit Arora in judicial custody for 14 days here today.

‘Shaka Laka...’ director shoots in city
Chandigarh, December 17
Parveen Sudan, who has directed many teleserials, including “Shaka Laka Boom Boom” and “Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, is in the city these days. He is here in connection with the shooting of a Punjabi album. The shooting is going on in a banquet hall in Sector 45 here.

Punjabi singer Varinder Vij (centre) performs during the shooting of his music album “Desi No. 1” in Chandigarh on Wednesday. 
— A Tribune photograph

Punjabi folk music to stay forever, says singer
Chandigarh, December 17
Punjabi folk music will stay forever — at least this is what singer Geetu Gitanjali has to say. She has come out with her debut Punjabi music album, “Taveet”.

LIFESTYLE

Home Decor
Sylvan spirit rules this house
It has been unofficially declared as the greenest house in Mohali. The residence of Mr Manjit Singh Juneja, a businessman based in the township is a garden with a house instead of a house with a garden. With over 500 potted plants, a mini nursery, and the complete frontage covered with hanging bel leaves, the house stands out in the whole neighbourhood.

The Juneja's ‘Green House’ in Phase VII, Mohali.

It’s my life
Singing is in my blood
I am Sharmishtha Banerjee and I have passed Class X from Manav Mangal School. Now I am doing Class XI from Ajit Karam Singh International Public School and will be taking up higher studies in bio-technology from Panjab University after my Class XII. I am very fond of singing. Singing is in my blood. 

Sharmishtha Banerjee

A sensitive portrayal of nature
Icy blue shade of dense clouds hover over imposing peaks mingled with the oceanic blue hue of the mountains as a solitary women reposes next to a hut — the alluring painting was just one of the many displayed by artist Prabal Pramanik at an exhibition being held at IndusInd Art Gallery in Sector 8, Chandigarh.

Festivity time
Church and charity, cakes and chocolates
COME Christmas and it is that time of the year when you get around to celebrating the birth anniversary of Jesus with carol singing, church, charity... and cakes, chocolates and cookies. While the 12-day festivity (from Dec 25 to the Epiphany day of Jan 6) of the West comprising big sales, snow, holidays, turkey dinner and exchange of gifts is missing in India, gaiety is palpable with the Christian community remembering Mary’s Boy Child in their own special way with their friends and families.

HEALTH

Health experts interact with villagers
Panchkula, December 17
A 17-member team of health communication experts from New Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttaranchal, Tamil nadu, Orissa and Haryana visited Kot village near here and observed that people, especially women, were aware of means of family planning, including the use of contraceptives.

AIDS control society seeks advanced equipment
Chandigarh, December 17
With the city emerging as the favoured destination for availing HIV/AIDS testing and treatment facilities by people from the region, the UT AIDS Control Society has sought sophisticated equipment to help monitor the progression of the disease more accurately.

Latest hernia treatment at General Hospital
Chandigarh, December 17
The General Hospital here has introduced the latest surgery technique “Prolene Hernia System” which will reduce discomfort and eliminate the chances of recurrence of hernia.

151 donate blood at camp
Panchkula, December 17
As many as 151 members of Ruhani Anjuman, a social and religious organisation, donated blood at a camp organised with the assistance of the Blood Bank Society, PGI, Chandigarh, in Sector37-C of Chandigarh, here today.

Sehgal Oration Award for Shakuntala Kathuria
Chandigarh, December 17
Mrs Shakuntala Kathuria  of the PGI has been awarded the Dr A.D. Sehgal  Oration Award by the Society of Indian Neuro Sciences Nurses. Mrs Kathuria, who is the Organising Secretary of the Society of Indian Neuro Sciences Nurses, was honoured at the 24th annual conference of the Society, held at PGI from December 12 to 15.

Arjun Atma Ram corners glory
Chandigarh, December 17
Arjun Atma Ram of Chandigarh cornered glory in the 10-metre Air Rifle event in the National Shooting Championship being held at Hyderabad. Arjun, who represented Chandigarh, helped his team won the silver medal in senior section and the bronze in junior section.

Arjun Atma Ram

Shivalik Public School honours spikers
Chandigarh, December 17
The victorious under-19 volleyball team of Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, which won the third CBSE National Volleyball Championship for the second consecutive year, was honoured by the school Principal, Mr D.S. Bedi, on the school premises here this afternoon.

ADMINISTRATION

MC mulls over multiplex parking
Chandigarh, December 17
After Ludhiana, Chandigarh may soon become the second city in the region to have multiplex parking. The Municipal Corporation is considering a proposal to set up a multi-storey parking complex in Sector 17, where the customers and traders face shortage of parking space, especially on the weekends.

Mayor’s poll on Jan 1
Chandigarh, December 17
The Deputy Commissioner today issued a formal order announcing the date of election for the post of Mayor of the Municipal Corporation on January 1. Elections to the other two posts of Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor will also be held on the same day.

Admn notifies dry days
Chandigarh, December 17
The Chandigarh Administration today declared that dry days will be observed in and around all villages of the city from 5 p.m. on December 19 to 5 p.m. on December 21 and on December 23 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., in view of the elections to the gram panchayats. Liquor vends in the city area will, however, function normally.