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TOP STORIES

Oust NDA govt, Sonia exhorts voters
Chandigarh, May 2
The Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, today called upon voters to oust the “corrupt and communal” BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and asserted that only the Congress was capable of steering a new India into the new century.

Congress candidate Pawan Bansal in conversation with Mrs Sonia Gandhi at an election rally in Chandigarh on Sunday. Former Union Minister Vinod Sharma is in the background. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Fall in number of UT voters
Chandigarh, May 2
A record 4.03 per cent growth in population was recorded in Chandigarh during the 2001 Census. The electoral roll of the Union Territory has shrunk by nearly 11 per cent. Against 5,84,656 voters in Chandigarh in 1999, the number fell to 5,07,646 voters in January this year.

PU to send roll numbers through Postal Dept
Chandigarh, May 2
Disillusioned by the experiment of dispatching roll numbers to private and correspondence candidates through a courier company, Panjab University will use the services of the Postal Department to deliver these from the next academic session.

No holiday in govt schools today
Chandigarh, May 2
There will be no holiday in government schools in the city tomorrow. It may be mentioned that the Chandigarh Administration has announced a restricted holiday in the offices and institutions of the administration.

Sailor’s 28-year wait for pension ends Chandigarh, May 2 After living in penury for 28 years, a 62-year old Navy sailor Chattar Singh Saroay can now look forward to a life of dignity. The defence ministry has finally agreed to release pensionary benefits which he had been deprived of because of the non-implementation of rules by the departments concerned.

Ashi Prashar is Mrs Homemaker

Panchkula, May 2 This was a beauty and homemaking skills contest, with a difference. Twentyfive women in the age group of 27 to 49 years sashayed down the ramp to win the title of Zen Mrs Homemaker 2004, in an eclectic show held at North Park resort tonight. Ms Ashi Prashar walked away with the title of Mrs Homemaker. Contenders for the Mrs Homemaker title during a fashion show held at North Park, Panchkula, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

ELECTIONS 2004

Dullo focuses on national issues Mohali, May 2 While his contenders are focusing on local issues, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, the Congress candidate for the Ropar Lok Sabha constituency, believes in talking about national issues to woo the electorate. Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo interacts with an ex-serviceman at Mohali on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

In a rare moment, a Congress supporter embraces Mr Hem Raj Kashyap, candidate of the BSP, during campaigning in Mani Majra, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Venod Sharma on comeback trail?
Chandigarh, May 2
Is Mr Venod Sharma, a former Union Minister, staging a comeback in Chandigarh politics? This is the question being asked in political circles here following reports of differences between Mr Pawan Bansal, the Congress candidate for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, and the CTCC chief, Mr B.B. Bahl, over the readmission of Mr Devinder Babla in the party.

Jain visits six gurdwaras Chandigarh, May 2 Mr Satya Pal Jain, the BJP candidate for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency, visited at least six gurdwaras as part of his election campaign here today. He said Sikh voters should remember that the Congress had proved to be their worst enemy, referring to Operation Bluestar and the 1984 riots. He was presented “shiropas” at the places he visited, a BJP press note said.

Mr Satya Pal Jain, BJP candidate, shares a joke with Ms Harjinder Kaur, SAD councillor, at a press conference in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Presiding officers asked to ensure free, fair poll

Chandigarh, May 2 Assistant returning officers of the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency today called upon presiding officers and polling parties to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The Assistant Returning Officer-cum-Director, Public Relations, UT, Chandigarh, Mr S.P. Arora, addresses a gathering of presiding officers and polling agents of the parliamentary constituency at Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, on Sunday.

First Vote Commitment, youth main criteria “I am enthusiastic about exercising my voting right for the first time though I know that it is going to be a difficult choice in the present political scenario. With almost every candidate involved in some scandal where can we find persons like Lal Bahadur Shastri, a simple, truthful, honest and a dedicated person whose life was an epitome of simplicity?

Vibhu Sagar

CRIME

Driver takes away impounded truck
Chandigarh, May 2
The driver of a multi-axle truck from Haryana is alleged to have stolen his impounded vehicle parked out side the Traffic Lines in Sector 29 here. A case of theft has been registered at the Industrial Area police station on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Hans Raj who alleged that Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Vidwar village in Hisar district had stolen the truck (HR-39 A 1497) from near the Traffic Lines last night.

Suicide by class XII student suspected
Kharar, May 2
An 18-year-old class XII student allegedly committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substance. The victim, Hardeep Kaur, had just appeared as a private student and lived with her parents in Navi Abadi Colony, Kharar. She was found in an unconscious state last evening and was rushed to the Civil Hospital here.

BUSINESS

Business offices inaugurated Chandigarh, May 2 The Chairman-cum-Managing Director of National Insurance Company, Mr H.S. Wadhwa, today inaugurated the regional office of E-Meditek Solutions and the corporate office of Embee Insurance Brokers at Sector 22-C here. Mr H.S. Wadhwa, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, National Insurance Company, addresses a gathering at CII in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Market Pulse
Innerwear for men launched
Park Avenue, the formal menswear brand of Raymond Apparel Ltd has launched a new range of men’s innerwear collection comprising undershirts and briefs. The collection will be available under various sub-brands such as Apollo, Zephyr, Eros and Adonis.

EDUCATION

Ryan school students set to present ‘Hey Dumbo’ Chandigarh, May 2 Take a flight of fancy with the circus team of Ryan International School. Feel the despair of Dumbo, the baby elephant, with his extraordinary ears and his joy when he comes out of his deformity to emerge as the hero of the circus team. Students of Ryan International School, Chandigarh, all set to present a musical play ‘‘Hey Dumbo’’ at Tagore Theatre on Monday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

Hamara School Blending traditional values with modern concepts Jainendra Public School, co-educational, English medium, residential, day-boarding, affiliated to CBSE since 1982 is one of the pioneer institutions of the city. It is managed and run by Jainender Gurukul Educational Trust, Panchkula, which was established in February 1929 with the efforts of Jain Saint, Shri Krishan Chander ji Acharya and others.

A view of the building of Jainendra Public School, Panchkula.

Principal Speak
‘Making quality education affordable’
Our institution blends traditional values with modern realities. We do not compromise on values at all. Our main aim is to provide best possible education with modern techniques while keeping the fee structure moderate. We believe in the dictum that “the destiny of a nation is shaped in classrooms.”

• Teachers’ body chief elected

LIFESTYLE

Bonsai small in size, but a big attraction
From Japan to many a homes in City Beautiful, the Japanese art of dwarfing trees, Bonsai, has found many a takers. As living spaces reduce in size, and love for bringing nature in close proximity, though in a representative form, this Oriental art of dwarfing trees is being rediscovered by the residents.

Garden comes alive with sound of laughter Laughter filled the Fragrance Garden in Chandigarh today as over 100 people laughed and clapped their way to good health. Men, women and children from all over the city participated in the Second World Laughter Day celebrations. ‘Laugh your way to good health’, say members of the Laughter Club at Fragrance Garden in Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Girls taking control of the reins Considered an exclusive male reserve, horse riding is now gaining ground among young girls, conscious about keeping in shape. While working out at gyms is no longer considered attractive by these youngsters looking for adventure, riding has caught their fancy in a big way. Girls practise at the Chandigarh Horse Riding Society at Lake Club in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Speak English effortlessly SO the Queen’s English still sounds alien when you speak in the language? Or are you looking for career guidance, not just in choosing a particular line but also to chalk out a career roadmap. Then Career Launchers is the best stop for you. Career Launchers, one of Asia’s leading Intel-funded companies, on Friday launched its services of Speak Easy and Future Map in the city. Officials of Career Launchers announce the launch of Speak Easy course and a Future Map course on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

150 patients examined at camp
Chandigarh, May 2
At least 150 patients were examined today at a free gynaecology and obstetrics check-up camp organised by Mukat Hospital and Heart Institute, Sector 34, here by Dr Gurdeep Kaur, former head of the department, Sector 16 General Hospital.

SPORTS

ITBP in semis of six-a-side hockey
Chandigarh, May 2
ITBP, CISF, Wanders Club and Rock Rovers Club made it to the last four of the second Dharam Singh Memorial six-a-side hockey tournament at the Sector 18 hockey stadium, here today.