Chandigarh, March 24
At 10.20 pm, it was “ time to disco”. Hundreds of youth poured out into the streets and danced with gay abandon. It was a historic night for cricket fans and the celebrations were long and enthusiastic.

Drums began to beat with vigour the moment Shoaib Akhtar was run out following a direct hit by local hero Yuvraj Singh. Minutes later, L Balaji bowled out the mercurial Pakistani wicket-keeper Moin Khan and crackers began to burst. India had won. The sky was lit with the light of rockets and multi-hued crackers. India had won a series in Pakistan in 55 years. It was a special occasion and it was celebrated in a typically Chandigarhian manner.

The Aroma traffic light point was choc-a-bloc with people. The police, despite being under pressure to keep the traffic flowing, allowed people to give vent to their emotions. At the ISBT, strangers hugged one another.

Till much after the match ended, people drove around the city with hatches of their cars open and stereos blaring.

Women too joined the celebrations in large numbers, unlike some previous occasions when they were conspicuous by their absence. At 11 pm, the Tribune team met a married woman with her husband and children dancing in the street.

“It was a great match. Perhaps, the best that I have ever seen. Sourav’s boys have done us proud,” said Jasmine Singh as she and her husband shook hands with fellow revellers.

The anticipation and excitement of the match was such that since afternoon, roads wore a deserted look. As India batted and Laxman notched up his first century on this tour, all work came to a standstill.

By evening, large crowds had collected in restaurants and clubs. Bars were packed and a cheer went up again and again as India scalped one wicket after another. By 11 pm, Sector 17, was choc-a-bloc with people celebrating the victory.

Panchkula, March 24
The Panchkula police has arrested three bookies on the charges of betting on the final India-Pakistan one-day international. As per information, Krishna Lal and Jatiner, residents of Mansa, and Satpal, a resident of Abohar, were arrested from Group Housing 44 in Sector 20.

Chandigarh, March 24
There is only a blank against the face of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the leader of the country in the General Election, said Mr Lal Krishan Advani, Deputy Prime Minister, while addressing a rally at Nehru Park, Sector 22, here tonight as part of the ‘Bharat Uday Yatra’.

Making a reference to the Indian victory in cricket against Pakistan at Lahore, Mr Advani said, “Our team has a sound captain. The opposition has no captain. It also does not know who are its team members”.

Mr Advani said it was strange that more than a month after the election campaign started, the Congress, which was in power for more than 45 years since Independence, had not announced its leader till today. The Bharatiya Janata Party had won the last parliamentary elections in 1999 projecting Mr Vajpayee as its leader. After five years of good governance, it was asking the people to get it back to power, he said.

Mr Advani came on stage clad in a white kurta pyjama at about 10.05 p.m. amidst chants of BJP ‘zindabad’. He was accompanied by his wife and daughter Pratibha.

“The country needs many more Chandigarhs”, he said. He was referring to the good condition of roads and the general infrastructural facilities here. He said the BJP would get roads to all villages laid, making special reference to the Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting all corners of the country through a world-class road. “We had thought that we will be able to create about 85,000 jobs under this project. A survey of the London School of Business said in 2003 alone, 1.70 crore jobs had been created here”, he said.

Chandigarh, March 24
Cricket fever finally overwhelmed Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani’s political message. As he entered the city, a tumultuous reception of a different kind awaited him. He was a participant in it rather than the beneficiary. India had won the one-day series and Mr Advani had an immediate taste of what this success meant to the people.

As Mr Advani moved towards the Aroma crossing, youth criss-crossed his path dancing joyously. Crackers were burst and slogans were raised as India inched towards victory. Mr Advani smiled benignly and waved at the people. And when he spoke, he did not forget to mention the local team member Yuvraj Singh. Immediately the Deputy Prime Minister also rang up Saurabh Ganguly to congratulate the Indian team.

The celebrations did not end here. As soon as Mr Advani finished his speech and moved towards the UT Guest House, hundreds of youths started dancing at the petrol pump near Aroma. When the fans started bursting crackers, the police had to chase them away. However, four youths were allegedly injured when the police lathicharged, Malkiat Singh, one of them, told The Tribune. The youths said the windscreen of their car was broken in the lathicharge.

Chandigarh, March 24
Seven activists of the All India Valmiki Yuvak Sangh, Chandigarh, were arrested today by the Chandigarh Police when they took out a procession to oppose the Bharat Uday Yatra of Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani.

The Sangh claimed that they were arrested from the intersection of Sector 20 and 29. The procession was 200 strong. The arrested were residents of Sector 20 which fell in the route of Mr Advani.

The arrested included the president of the sangh, Dharamvir, general secretary, Rishipal and vice-president Mahesh Bidla.

The protesters were alleging that the BJP was spending crores on yatras while doing nothing for the poor.

Mohali, March 24
Two workers of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) were arrested by the police today following apprehension of the SAD (A) members creating hurdles in the Bharat Uday Yatra of Mr Lal Krishan Advani, that will reach Mohali at 9.15 am tomorrow.

The two were Mr Amrik Singh Bhairomajra, president of the Mohali unit, and Mr Munsha Singh, general secretary of the unit. They were among the 12 persons arrested in Ropar and the 142 persons arrested throughout Punjab under relevant provision of the law.

The police made stringent preparations for Mr Advani’s security during his visit to Mohali and Kharar. DIG Ludhiana range Dinkar Gupta came to see the preparations at Kharar today. He held meetings with police personnel there and briefed them about the preparations.

At least 500 men were specially deployed on the route for Mr Advani’s safe movement. At 12 points from Mohali to Kharar, the security would be doubled.

Traffic on the Chandigarh-Mohali-Kharar road would be diverted from Chandigarh side to Palsora Colony and from Kharar side at Balongi Chowk. The diversion was expected to last less than 45 minutes.

Chandigarh, March 24
It was a refreshing sight to see the city roads wear a fresh look today morning. The sideways were neatly decked up at certain points. Dry leaves scattered on the roads, especially during this part of the year, had been taken care of. A party spokesperson of the Bhartiya Janata Party confirmed that the route to be taken by Mr Lal Krishan Advani, the Deputy Prime Minister, up to Nehru Park in Sector 22 had been specially done up for the occasion.

It was pointed out that the BJP “did not extend any begging hand to the corporation to welcome its star leader. We have borne the entire expenditure out of the party funds. In fact, we have installed two STD telephones at the UT Guest House where Mr Advani is scheduled to camp at our own expenditure. In any case, the corporation is ruled by the Congress so we did not expect any special care”.

The route of entry of Mr Advani was intended to cover Sectors 29, 30, 20 and 21. All the roads were “cleaned up under the supervision of party workers”.

Chandigarh, March 24
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has suffered a loss of over Rs 2 crore for delay in the construction of a building in Chandigarh, the land for which was allotted by the local administration as far back as 1984. The building, which was finally constructed in 2001, continued to remain unutilised during the following years.

Hauling up the Principal General Manager, Telecommunications, Chandigarh, the Comptroller and Auditor General, in its latest report released last month has stated that failure on the part of the management to investigate the delays and lapses on the part of the authorities had resulted in an “avoidable” expenditure of Rs 2.24 crore.

Due to the non-availability of the building, BSNL had spent Rs 1.59 crore on rent for hired premises, Rs 26 lakh on lease rent and Rs 39 lakh as extension fee for delayed construction. This was in addition to Rs 55 lakh paid for the land.

Though CAG had referred the matter to the Ministry of Communications, the government did not come forth with a reply.

The Chandigarh Administration had allotted land measuring about 1400 square yards to the Telecom District Manager in July, 1984, and the building was to be constructed within three years.

Audit scrutiny revealed that the telecom authorities took more than six years to finalise the architectural designs and another four years for finalising the works designs. The tender of work was finally awarded in November, 1998. Though work construction was completed in November, 2001, the authorities could satisfy requirements for occupancy certificate only by February, 2003. Though the case for occupancy certificate was taken up with the Administration, it was still pending by the time audit was undertaken.

Chandigarh, March 24
Friendship is a tradition between Indians and Bangladeshis. It stems from the role India played in the Bangladesh liberation war of 1971 and has lived on. No surprise then that since the war, India has earned for itself the title of “natural friend” and it comes straight from Bangladesh with love.

Spelling out this faith of his countrymen in India and its people, is the former Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Mr C.M. Shafi Sami. In the city for a seminar on “Indo-Bangladesh Relations—Strengthening Partnership” organised by CRRID, in Sector 19, he admits, “Occasional mistrust and misunderstanding between the two countries does crop up but we definitely need India as our friend.”

Mr Sami opined that border issues, undemarcated land boundaries and exchange of enclaves, land mass with population embedded in the territory of another country, could gradually grow into irritants and strain relations between “friendly neighbours”.

“We have resolved our differences over these issues. Now, the challenge comes from their successful implementation on ground. Also, we need to work upon building bridges and strengthening ties between people,” he maintained.

This must begin with establishing a people-to-people contact which ought to be free from the prison of politics, he suggests. “The friendship between India and Bangladesh should not have political undertones to it and not be dependent on the actors in the power play. Instead, we must prudently cultivate an undergrowth of relations, economic and social, to establish an understanding with universal appeal between the two countries,” Mr Sami holds.

The High Commissioner in India for over four years, Mr Sami went on to become the Foreign Secretary in his country. “I have intimately dealt with India and seen its emergence as a power to reckon with in South-East Asia as well as its clout in the international arena. Back home, we Bangladeshis expect India to travel an extra mile to extend a hand of friendship because it is a greater economy in comparison to our small state.”

However, he is critical of the role played by the media in India.”I feel that the terms between India and Bangladesh are subjected to closer scrutiny because everybody expects the best of relations between them. Small aberrations by either of the two get attacked. This must be checked and issued must be given only their due and not blown out of proportion,” he contends.

Not particularly unnerved by the improving Indo-Pak relations, Mr Sami feels this would never be at their expense. “In fact, we welcome any improvement in their relations, given the nuclear capability of both the countries. A confrontation between the two counties will have a negative bearing on us as well while peace between the two countries would contribute towards a stable atmosphere in the region and benefit us. We are hoping peace will continue to prevail,” he stated.

Chandigarh, March 24
The National Foundation for Communal Harmony has invited applications for Communal Harmony Awards from individuals and organisations engaged in promoting national integrity and communal harmony.

The award comprises a cash component of Rs 2 lakh and a citation in the individual category and Rs 5 lakh and a citation in the organisation category.

An individual could apply if he/she has been working in the areas of national integration and communal harmony for a minimum of 10 years; does not hold an elective office in Parliament, state Legislature or local body; is not a member of a political party recognised by the Election Commission; and is above 35 years of age. The award is not be given posthumously.

In case of an organisation, it should be registered under an appropriate Act of Parliament or state Legislature; should have been working at the national or state level; and should have been functioning for a minimum of five years in the field of promotion of national integration and communal harmony. No educational institution or a body created under an Act of Parliament or Legislature would be eligible for the award.

Nominations shall be accompanied by a list indicating the contribution made year-wise by the individual or the organisation. Nominations for the organisations will be accompanied with a copy of the registration certificate, rules and bylaws of the organisation, names of office-bearers and their addresses along with the relationship among office-bearers, an audited statement of accounts of the past three years and a resume of the work done by the organisation.

Panchkula, March 24
It was an emotional moment for the parents of seven-year-old Gulshan when they were reunited with the child at Bal Niketan in Sector 2 here today.

The eyes of the Pinjore-based parents, Mr Kali Charan and Ms Renu, welled up as they hugged their son who had gone missing a couple of days ago and had landed up at Bal Niketan. They contacted Bal Niketan after reading a story in the Chandigarh Tribune today, Dr Madhu Sharma, honorary secretary of the children’s home, said.

Mr Kali Charan thanked The Tribune and Bal Niketan for helping in locating his child.

The child was found abandoned near Old Saket Hospital here on Monday. He was left in Sector 10 by a rickshaw-puller from where he was taken to the Sector 10 police post and later brought to Bal Niketan.

Mohali, March 24
The process of giving Mohali its own symbol has started. The Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha and Kharar MLA, Mr Bir Devinder Singh, today initiated the process at the monthly meeting of the municipal council here today.

He said Mohali should have its own symbol which would be displayed outside the new office of the council. The proposal was added as an agenda item on the spot and passed by members of the council. It was decided that a heterogenous committee would be formed undertake the responsibility of finding a suitable symbol.

The committee would invite entries from the public and institutions both government and non-government and finalise three symbols. A single symbol would be chosen finally and the creator would be awarded Rs 50,000.

Chandigarh, March 24
The election of the office-bearers and executive body of Chandigarh Club is getting mired in a controversy.

Allegations and counter-allegations are being made between rival groups that have put up Mr Mukesh Bassi and Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi for the post of president.

As the date for polling draws closer, electioneering has begun to pick up, with candidates distributing colourful pamphlets and cards to solicit votes. Dinners have become routine.

Certain members have also gone to court to “seek justice”, but there has been no relief to them so far.

Meanwhile, five members of the outgoing executive of the club today alleged that the prescribed procedure for the elections was not being followed. The members — Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, Mr C.M. Munjal, Mr Ajaybir Singh, Mr Gopal Gupta and Mr Priya Bhushan Sharma, alleged that although the election process had begun and the candidates had filed their nominations, which had been scrutinised and accepted, the club president was yet to appoint a returning officer for the poll, which was scheduled for April 3. Under the circumstances, the whole process had come under a cloud of suspicion.

Mr Sethi, advocate, a candidate for the post of president, complained that even the voter’s list had not been finalised.

Mr Sunil Khanna, acting president, however, refuted the allegations and asserted that proper procedure was being followed. He said the constitution of the club clearly laid down that “at the annual general body meeting, the president shall appoint two scrutinisers to count the votes and tell the result to the president. The president shall then declare who is elected”.

There was, thus, no provision for the appointment of a returning officer, said Mr Khanna. It was only at the time of elections in 1996 that Mr S.C. Kapoor had been appointed returning officer on court directions. A returning officer had also been appointed in the last election, even though it was not mandatory. “This time, we plan to follow the constitution strictly”, he said.

As regards the voters’ list, it had been put up on the notice board of the club.

Chandigarh, March 24
Mr Dayal Dogra, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, Ambala, yesterday denied that wooden beams were being used to prop up a railway bridge on the Ambala-Saharanpur section of the Railways, as reported along with a photograph in The Tribune a few days ago.

In a rejoinder, Mr Dogra said, “The wooden beams can never prop up a railway bridge and moreover, Railways is the last organisation to throw safety to the winds. The 16,000-strong force of the Ambala division is committed to safety.”

“The said bridge, no. 285, is an arch-bridge of two spans of 1.5 metres each. The bridge is safe and arching action is satisfactory. However, over a period of time masonry work has been weakened at a few locations. The Railways has planned its rehabilitation action in two phases — phase I is replacement of stones/bricks where mortar has got weakened and phase II is offloading of these arches by placing reinforced cement concrete hume pipes through them,” he explained.

Chandigarh, March 24
Ninety units of blood were donated at a camp organised by the East branch of the Bharat Vikas Parishad in collaboration with the State Bank of Patiala at Shri Shiv Manas Mandir (Vayu Sena), Industrial Area, here today.

Chandigarh, March 24
In the results of Chandipex-2004, a philately exhibition organised by the Punjab circle of the Department of Posts, Mr Rakesh Walia has won six prizes for his collection of five paise surcharge stamps. A collection of literature class stamps for beginners won the first position.

Mohali, March 24
The police today arrested the second person wanted for running over a daily-wage labourer Kishen Lal on March 12 and dumping him in a secluded spot to die.