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Where have 58,000 UT voters vanished?
Chandigarh, May 9
Where have more than 58,000 voters of the city vanished from the list of electorate this time as compared to the official figures of 1999 poll? The final voters list this year has names of 5,26,168 voters. The official list of 1999 had 5,84,656 voters.

Stage set for smooth polling in Ropar constituency
Mohali, May 9
The last minute preparations are on at the 1,306 polling stations in the Ropar Lok Sabha constituency where over 13 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote tomorrow. Thousands of electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been dispatched to these stations along with the staff deployed for election duty.

It’s blame game a day before
Chandigarh, May 9
All three prominent candidates in fray for the local parliamentary seat today accused one another of indulging in unfair practices during the polling period. The matter was raised at three different press conferences of these candidates.

2,400 cops for poll duty in city
Chandigarh, May 9
The Chandigarh police has made complete security arrangements to ensure free and fair voting tomorrow. Besides, four companies of CRPF, a strong posse of over 2,400 personnel of the police under the supervision of 11 DSPs has been deputed for the smooth flow of the voting process.

14 booths of Banur segment declared hypersensitive 
Dera Bassi, May 9
Out of 147 polling booths in the Banur segment of the Patiala parliamentary constituency, 14 have been declared hypersensitive while 42 sensitive. Mr Deepak Raj Garg, Assistant Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Dera Bassi, said 97 buildings were being used for the polling purposes and 300 employees had been put on duty in these booths. As many as 12 supervisors have also been appointed. One supervisor would look after 12 to 13 polling booths.

Officials go to polling booths after receiving election material at Government College, Sector 46, Chandigarh, on Sunday.

Police personnel deployed outside a polling booth in Sector 32, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photos by Parvesh Chauhan

Intelligentsia urged to shun political apathy
Chandigarh, May 9
The Intellectuals Association of Chandigarh today asked the city literati to shun political apathy and come forward to cleanse the system by voting against “bad elements”. At a conference organised today, the speakers urged the residents to reject regional political parties and candidates seeking votes in the name of religion.

• Sikhs urged to vote for BJP

• Poll staff debarred from casting vote, says Ganeshi Lal

• Paid holiday for commercial establishments today

COMMUNITY

Army officer faces court martial
Chandigarh, May 9
A senior Army officer is being tried by a General Court Martial (GCM) for alleged acts of corruption and misuse of official machinery for personal gains while commanding his unit.

Enthusiastic response to celebrations at British Library

Chandigarh, May 9 A number of events today marked the second phase of the 10-day-long fourth anniversary celebrations at British Library. Events ranging from “Family Chess” and “Eve’s Special” were the highlights of the day. The events saw enthusiastic participation by members of all ages. A participant speaks at an extempore contest during the fourth anniversary celebrations of British Library in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Scuffle in market over bid to cut council railing
Mohali, May 9
There was a scuffle between two shopkeepers in the Phase V market here this evening over a bid to illegally cut through a metal railing in front of shops for facilitating the entry of customers.

CRIME

Kidnapping case  registered
Mohali, May 9
The police here registered a case of kidnapping against a Chandigarh resident on a complaint of a resident of Nangal. According to the police, Mr Harish Sharma, a Nangal town-resident complained that his 28-year-old sister went missing from Mohali on April 30 and has not been found since.

BUSINESS

Dera Bassi, May 9 Members of the Dera Bassi Industrial Focal Point Association, Mubarikpur, have alleged that they were being harassed by the Punjab State Industrial Export Corporation (PSIEC), which had been ignoring their problems for the past more than 12 years. Mr R.C. Bhargwa, chairman, and Mr Ashwani Soni (right), vice-president of the Dera Bassi Industrial Focal Point Association, Mubarikpur, at a press conference in Dera Bassi on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph.

EDUCATION

Proposed PU pension scheme likely to fall flat
Chandigarh, May 9
The Defined Contributory Provident Fund Scheme is yet another pension scheme, proposed by the Panjab University for its employees. Its fate, when it comes up for discussion at the university Syndicate, is likely to be the same as that of other proposals which have been turned down or shelved by the authorities.

PU Syndicate meeting on May 15
Chandigarh, May 9
In the Panjab University Syndicate meeting, scheduled for May 15, the members will deliberate upon the recommendation of the committee to approve the schedule regarding the election of representatives in the governing bodies of the non-government-aided colleges.

PU Professor awarded medal
Chandigarh, May 9
Prof Indu Banga of the Department of History, Panjab University, has been awarded a gold medal by the Asiatic Society for her ‘outstanding contribution to the field of Indian history’. She was felicitated by the society in the last meeting of the Syndicate of Panjab University.

1,200 take mock CAT Chandigarh, May 9 The fourth mock CAT-cum-scholarship test, conducted by Bulls Eye exclusively for the readers of The Tribune in the region witnessed huge participation at different centres here today. As many as 1,200 students took the test, conducted for the fourth consecutive time. Students come out of an examination centre in Chandigarh after taking a mock CAT-cum-scholarship test, conducted by Bulls Eye exclusively for readers of The Tribune on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

Several city students make it to IIMs
Chandigarh, May 9
Several students from the city have made it to various Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). However, no students could make it to the IIM, Ahmedabad, considered to be the best among the IIMs.

No substitute for hard work, says study circle chief

Chandigarh, May 9 Self-confidence and hard work are the pre-requisites for getting through the civil services examination. This was stated by the Director of the IAS Study Circle, Mr Anil Kumar, at a press conference in Sector 17 here today. With seven students from his centre clearing the examination this year, he said the institute strived to fully prepare its students for the examination by holding regular tests and mock interviews. Mr H.S. Swan, former DGP, Haryana, (right) and Prof Anil Kumar, Director, IAS Study Circle, at a press conference in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

• Former PEC student gets 77th rank in civil services

Mother’s Day gift for destitute children

Chandigarh, May 9 Teachers of Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21, celebrated Mother’s Day in an innovative manner today. They spent the day with the underprivileged children at Bal Niketan, Sector 15, a home for destitute children. Moms with their bundles of joy at Mother’s Day celebrations organised by Evergreen Academy in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Forum hails move to regulate private schools’ fee structure
Panchkula, May 9
Welcoming the recent judgement of the Supreme Court on the regulation of the fee structure in private schools in Delhi, the Indian Citizens’ Forum today demanded that the judgement should be implemented all over the country for the benefit of the general public.

Plea to include yoga in school curriculum
Panchkula, May 9
A mega yoga camp was the highlight of the eighth annual day celebrations of the Bhartiya Yog Sansthan at Town Park in Sector 5 here yesterday. Addressing the function, Mr Om Prakash, president of the Haryana unit of the sansthan, informed that it had been decided to establish yoga sadhana kendras in all districts of the state.He stressed the need for the development of the spirit of service to mankind and a positive attitude towards life.

Hamara School
Equipping students to deal with challenges of life
The school is located near Gurdwara Jyoti Saroop crossing and has a majestic building and beautiful lush green lawns. This English medium, co-educational school is affiliated to Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, and is located in an open and healthy atmosphere and is spread over an area of 12 acres. The building has different blocks for junior, senior and senior secondary classes. There are residential flats for the members of the staff in the school campus itself.

LIFESTYLE

Ice-cream companies woo consumers

The ice-cream parlour next door never looked so colourful... or affordable. As price war among major ice-cream players in the city gets hot, residents are eagerly warding off the summer blues with frozen desserts and ice creams. With two new ice creams — Mother Dairy and Cream Bell — making an entry into the local market this summer, consumers as well as retailers are the ones to benefit. Price and quality war in ice-cream and frozen dessert majors in the city means good time for residents. — A Tribune photograph

Journey of self-discovery for women artists

IN a quest to discover themselves through paint and brush, 12 women artists of the city have joined hands and formed an association called “We”. Though the association is about three-month old, the artists for the first time, held a three-day workshop, which concluded at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16 here today. Giving shape to their imagination: Women artists of “We” at a workshop in Punjab Kala Bhavan, Sector 16, Chandigarh. — A Tribune photograph

Gandhi’s dream gone sour A protagonist from the past comes back to make us realise what has become of the dream that inspired freedom fighters to fight against the British to make India free. Conceptualised along contemporary lines of thinking, it is the conflict between hope and harsh reality that makes political satire “Gandhi ki Wapsi” interesting. A scene from the play “Gandhi ki Wapsi” staged by Theare Age at Punjab Kala Bhavan in Sector 16, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

‘Haas Raag Rang’  completes one year

The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, staged I. C. Nanda’s social satire “Eh Doomne” (1918) and award-winning humorous playlet “Patangbaz”, both directed by Pran Sabharwal and Sunita Sabharwal at Baradari Gardens here. The function, held to mark the completion of one year of the Garden Theatre campaign “Haas Raag Rang”, on a Sunday of every month, was inaugurated by the chief guest Mr Kabir Das, Senior Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Patiala.

Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans performs at a jagrata at Sector 47, Chandigarh, on Saturday night. — A Tribune photograph

Lounge bar to open on May 14 The lounge bar is moving out from the metros and the city clubs. Hotel Maya Palace is getting this metro concept of comfy wining to the city, as it gets ready to inaugurate the first lounge bar on May 14. The city’s first lounge bar will be opened on May 14. — A Tribune photograph.

HEALTH

75 patients examined at health camp
Chandigarh, May 9
As many as 75 patients were examined and medicines given free of cost to the needy patients at an awareness camp on drug de-addiction and stress management organised by Mukat Hospital and Heart Institute at their premises today. The camp was organised under the guidance of Dr Ambrish Singal, neuro-psychiatrist.

SPORTS

Panchkula skaters for national meet at Visakhapatnam
Chandigarh, May 9
Panchkula skaters Nourin Midha in the girls’ section and Vishal Mani and Shubham in the boys section are among members of the Sub-Junior teams which will represent Haryana in the National Roller Skating championship to be held at Visakhapatnam from May 20 to 25.