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Decision on new PU DUI on Oct 16
Chandigarh, October 9 The Syndicate will also decide to split up for internal assessment of the five-year integrated BA LLB course. The proposed split up for the assessment includes five marks each for the first and second written test, 10 marks for the project report while five marks each have been allocated for its viva and presentation along with another 10 marks for group discussion. The resolution moved by Dr Tankeshwar Kumar to provide a place sitting for research and teaching-related activities to faculty members of the Department of Evening Studies would also be considered. Confirmation of two programmers, appointment of Dr Rajesh Kumar Jindal as part-time doctor at the university Health Centre, awarding of PhDs and the writing off of a printer would be taken up.
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Dogs dig up graves to feed on dead
Chandigarh, October 9 The school is located near the Sector 25 burial and cremation ground. Acting on a specific tip-off, The Tribune team today surveyed the area and was told by the residents of nearby localities that dogs digging up graves to feed on corpses was a regular feature. According to the residents, dogs roam the burial ground late in the evening and at night and dig up fresh graves. According to Hindu customs, a child under 28 months is buried and not cremated. In some castes of Hindus, children up to the age of three years are buried. The burial ground for children is like an open jungle with no fencing and the bodies of the little ones are at a risk from dogs and various other predators. Stray dogs from nearby slums usually prowl the area after parents have buried the body. It is not that all graves are dug up. Attempts at digging by an animal were visible only on afew of the graves. Intriguingly, the bodies are buried at a depth of no more than two feet which can be easily dug by hungry dogs. On its part, the municipal corporation has forgotten to even get the burial ground tidied up. It is overgrown with weeds and bushes. It has no light points to enable the watchman to have a clear view at night. There is also no fencing around the ground and even the path built to reach the site has been taken over by weeds. Sources said all the funds are spend on the main cremation ground. Moreover, there are no markings showing where the graves of the little ones are located. A visitor could be walking on one without realising it. Parents of infants also face a tough time finding a site to bury a body. The Tribune team found a family looking for a site to bury their child.
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Newborn’s father alleges medical negligence
Chandigarh, October 9 The newborn baby did not cry for as long as half an hour after the delivery, which created panic till a staff member rushed to fetch the “sleeping” doctor. “My wife was admitted to the polyclinic at 10 pm on the night of delivery. There were nurses and other helping staff who were looking after the patients, but no doctor. The child was born at 5:50 am but did not cry for almost half an hour. Sensing that things were not quite normal, I requested the nurses to call the doctor who was sleeping in her room. A helper then went to call the doctor who came after 20 minutes and examined the baby which had a problem in breathing,’’ said Rajan. Within seconds of examining the baby, it is learnt, the doctor referred him to the GH-16, from where it was further referred to the PGI. Rajan met the polyclinic’s Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Dr Veena Sharma, today to formally ask the officials to look into the matter. While saying that he will look into the allegations, the SMO, however, offered no comments. Meanwhile, what convinces the father of negligence on part of the doctor and that it landed his child in a critical condition is the fact that all pre-birth reports of the child at the polyclinic indicated that the child would not suffer from any complications. The reports also pointed to a normal delivery. “If the doctor had been present there, perhaps my child’s condition would not have been that critical. Her absence at the critical hour is what is bothering me the most,” said Rajan.
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Why does the Left suspect FBI offer on terrorism?
Chandigarh, October 9 If it is disinvestment in public sector undertakings today, it is foreign direct investment in certain sectors of the economy the next day. If it is over scrapping of a press note dated December 18, 1998, the following day it is the issue of foreign experts in the Planning Commission. Now the Leftists see as “interference” the FBI’s offer to help in investigating Assam and Nagaland terrorist-triggered blasts that have claimed scores of human lives. The bilateral collaboration on counter-terrorism between India and the US is not new. The Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, has defended the offer of the US Ambassador, Mr David C Mulford, to help in investigating the blasts, saying it was part of co-operation and concern the two countries shared. It has been forgotten that India and US have been partners in law enforcement since 1972, when the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) set up an office in New Delhi. Joint efforts to tackle terrorism and terrorist threats and activities got a major impetus after the attack of September, 2001, on the twin World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania and December, 2001, at the heart of India’s democracy — Parliament. The Leftists have, perhaps, forgotten the January, 2002, firing by motor cycle riding terrorists at the American Centre in Kolkata, killing four policemen guarding the building and injuring 14 others. That attack took place on the day FBI Director Robert Mueller was in India. His presence had facilitated interaction that same evening between the FBI and the Kolkata police. Investigation into that firing had revealed that the underworld gangster Aftab Ansari, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) then, had orchestrated it. Armed with evidence, the US took up the matter with the UAE and Mr Mueller personally went to the UAE. Thereafter, Ansari was deported to India. This is just one incident that is reported in US Embassy publication, “People, Progress, Partnership” on the transformation of US-India relations. In fact, another example of US-India collaboration revealed in the book is one that occurred in September, 2003, involving India’s most wanted terrorist-criminal, Dawood Ibrahim, who had masterminded the serial blasts in Mumbai in March, 1993, killing 250 innocent persons. While accompanying former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani to the USA and the UK in June, 2003, this correspondent heard him talk as much of “economic co-operation” as “strategic partnership” between the two democracies. In his special lectures, a “Democracies against terrorism, India-US co-operation’’ at the Chicago Council of Foreign Relations and on ‘’Indo-US relations in a Strategic Partnership” at the World Affairs Council at Los Angeles, his emphasis was that India-US, being “natural allies”, must jointly fight terrorism. The reason why this should happen, Mr Advani later told TNS, was because “ideologically and operationally” the main source of international terrorism was Pakistan. This fact was now better appreciated by the US after 9/11 and 13/12, because source of threat to both was the same, India’s western neighbour. Therefore, the point for Leftists to note is that there is no “interference” in the offer of Mr Mulford in his letters to the Assam Chief Minister or the Union Home Ministry.
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Role of immigration lawyers ‘crucial’
Chandigarh, October 9 Giving details of the “Second Global Immigration Summit: Thinking Beyond Borders”, Mr Malhotra added that according to the delegates, students hoping to study in the US required a “lot of time for processing application forms in the light of the enhanced security concerns following 9/11 incident”. He asserted that security, terrorism and new visa controls after 9-11 were also discussed during the summit. It was observed that immigration lawyers now had a crucial role to play in facilitating orderly, legal, efficient, and humane movement of global talent across international borders. The summit was organised by the American Lawyers Association, in cooperation with the International Bar Association and the Immigration Law Practitioners Association, London. The conference which started on September 30, he added, was attended by more than 200 immigration lawyers all over the world. More than 50 speakers presented papers, which have been published in the form of a book. The summit was in continuation of an earlier summit held in New York in September, 2002. Mr Malhotra said the delegates were of the opinion that foreign national employees often failed to comply with the local requirements either because they were either unaware or considered these overly burdensome, time consuming and unnecessary exercise. As such, risks faced by foreign national employees working abroad were also discussed. He asserted that from global mobility perspective, some companies detected an increasing reluctance on the part of the employees to accept traditional long-term positions abroad. Instead, as per the delegates, the employees were opting for extended business travel or other shortterm assignments. Mr Malhotra said there were sessions devoted to lesser skilled and essential workers also. In contrast to the earlier inaugural summit, this year’s summit included introduction of family and citizenship issues, comparative asylum and refugee law practices, besides issues relating to dual nationality. Mr Malhotra, the only speaker from India, has obtained his LL.M. Degree from the University of London with specialisation in immigration law and South Asian family laws. He was invited to speak on freedom of movement for business personnel under Indian immigration law, and consular processing issues at the major embassies in New Delhi.
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Empowering women his passion
Chandigarh, October 9 Mr Kaushal was here to attend a round-table conference on panchayati raj institutions. Heading a non-governmental organisation, the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, the NGO has branches all over Uttaranchal. With a twinkle in his eyes, Dehra Dun-based Mr Kaushal talks about his efforts to train women to run panchayats. " We teach them to handle power, deal with government officials and also keep records of all correspondence, besides dealing with finances of elected body." The Kendra teaches only women. He says " for women issues like drinking water, environment, health for their children and education assume greater importance." Also women panches learn faster than men and have great sense of community participation, he says, adding that women taught at the Kendras are doing well. The idea to keep the men out of the ambit of this informal teaching is aimed at empowering women as rural women are shy of coming out in the open where men have assembled. Mr Kaushal was teaching at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy, Mussoorie, where IAS officials get their two years training. Since 1993 he has been in the field. He is also educating children of Gujjars to protect the forest. " It has been a success," claims Mr Kaushal. "We started with the adults. All were illiterates", he said. After the adult education effort, Unesco awarded the centre in recognition of its work. Now children of the Gujjars are being educated. This has given them a scope for alternative livelihood. Computer education is also given to these 250 children. English is being taught by teachers who have come from Britain. Talking about the children of Gujjars, Mr Kaushal gets passionate. "They are fighting for their own survival and we are taught them to acknowledge the fact that they cannot live if the forest is chopped down". Mr Kaushal believes: "One of the Gujjar children can be a sporting champ in events like walk, marathon or long distance running. They are very tough". Mr Kaushal reveals that he has also started a postgraduate diploma in human rights for students of Saarc countries. "We are charging just Rs 3,000 for the whole year". Trying to take him a bit away from his passion as the NGO, The Tribune tried talking to Mr Kaushal about his association with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi but he sidestepped the issue. Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi, MP from Amethi, had visited his centre to see how it all works. "Yes, Rahul had come to see our work", he says with an obvious reluctance in his tone to reveal no further.
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Blast at LPG station leaves 4 injured
Zirakpur, October 9 The blast damaged the main shutter and windowpanes of the shop from where the station had been running. Windowpanes of shops adjacent to the service station were also damaged. Though the exact cause of the blast could not be ascertained, residents of the area alleged that LPG leakage from some cylinder stored inside Mohali Gas Enterprises caused the blast. They alleged that four persons, including son of the station owner, Mr Rakesh Singla, were involved in pilfering LPG from a cylinder lying there when the blast occurred, leaving the four injured. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Bhupinder Singh, a resident of the locality who shares his backyard with the service station, said he heard a powerful blast at about 10.30 p.m. and found that windowpanes of his house had been blown off. He along with other family members rushed outside the house and found that the blast had occurred in the service station. Residents of the area assembled on the spot and started extinguishing the blaze. The fire was completely put out, while a fire engine from the Dera Bassi fire station reached the spot. The injured were taken to the General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula. Residents of the area also claimed that the owners of the service station took away two tractor-trailer loads of LPG cylinders stored in the service station soon after the incident. They also cleaned the place of the articles scattered there after the blast to remove evidence, they further alleged. The police said no information relating to occurrence of any blast was received at the Lohgarh police post. Mr Rakesh Singla, owner of the service station, could not be contacted for comments.
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UT collects Rs 1.60 cr entertainment tax
Chandigarh, October 9 Similarly, Rs 1.60 crore have been collected on account of entertainment tax which has an increase of 43 per cent over the last year’s collection of Rs 1.10 crore. The department has collected Rs 48 crore against the last year’s collection of Rs 43 crore from State Excise and an increase of 4 per cent has been recorded in passenger tax also. The total revenue has reached Rs 228 crore against the collection of Rs 195 crore till the month of September 2004. The Deputy Commissioner cum-Excise & Taxation Commissioner, Arun Kumar has said that the department shall continue its efforts against the tax evaders and improve its performance as compared to the last year.
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HP Governor Kokje honours 6 intellectuals
Chandigarh, October 9 He was addressing the gathering of intellectuals at a function organised by the Intellectuals Association Chandigarh at Law Bhavan, after honouring eminent personalities of the city for their contribution to the society. Ms Sharda Dutt, an educationist, Justice M.R. Sharma, judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr H.L. Sibal, senior advocate, Mr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, agriculture scientist and former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, Dr K.K. Talwar, Director, P.G.I.M.E.R, and Mohd. Izhar Alam, ADGP, Punjab were honoured on the occasion for their commendable services in their respective fields of the profession. The Governor expressed concern over the deteriorating value system and added that it was a right time to evolve proper mechanisms to restore the Indian value system. Recalling the pre-Independence era, Ms Kokje said intellectuals had been in forefront of all movements for social reforms, but now the scenario had changed and intellectuals had started shunning their responsibility due to the mad race for making money. He said in earlier days leadership meant service of the people but in the present scenario this had been relegated to the back seat, which was unfortunate. The Governor lauded the role of the association for recognising the services of eminent persons and sparing their time for the social cause. He said recognition of the services rendered by eminent persons would not only encourage them but inspire the younger generation to follow their ideals. The Governor also released a souvenir brought out by the association on the occasion. Mr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, while highlighting the objective of the association, said the association was founded in 1982 with an objective to consolidate the moral spiritual virtues of intellectuals of the city for emotional integration. Mr S.D. Sharma, Chairman of the association, welcomed the chief guest while Justice P.K. Palli, patron of the association, proposed vote of thanks. Speaking on the occasion, the six awardees advocated how professionals from their fields could help to make society a better place: Ms Sharda Dutt: Work is like a play when you start loving it. If you can make learning an exciting affair, empathise with the pain of a child then your own life will become an exciting challenge. Parents, too, must learn to play with the child and watch their stress disappear. Justice M.L. Sharma: I treated all my litigants as humans and tried to give them relief as fast as possible. As a result, I got more love from them in comparison to other judges. Mr H.L. Sibal:
The judges on the Bench have to be human. They must emulate judges like Justice M.L. Sharma. The real trouble today stems from the excesses of the Executive and the corruption which has crept into the judiciary as well. We are all accustomed to make more money and India has been rated as the most corrupt country. That’s shameful. The judges have to rise above all this and understand the travails of the public. Dr G.S. Kalkat:
The most important problem in India is growing population which is exhausting the resources rapidly. Farmers, too, need to be educated about introducing the changes in the cropping patterns. The farmer must sacrifice a little to save his future. Dr K.K. Talwar:
Controlling population is a major challenge. To bring it under control, the society must take the lead rather than leaving the entire task up to the government. Mohd. Izhar Alam: Every son has failed this motherland of ours. Everybody is failing his country. The association must do something to make at least one son care for his motherland.
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Professionals given tips to de-stress
Chandigarh, October 9 Mr Kapoor also talked about proper management of stress, besides giving tips on conflict resolution, dealing with problem co-workers, and other stressful situations on the job. He validated his points by using colours to explain ways of distressing. He also referred to the male female stress ratio. The workshop was organised by The British Library. Saying that RED (relaxation, exercise and diet) could go a long way in curbing the stress, Mr Kapoor emphasized balanced diet, effective exercises and progressive relaxation. He condemned self-induced stress and asserted that brooding endlessly was a major cause of stress. He added heavy drinking, smoking and use of tranquillisers could be hazardous as it induced stress. Giving pointers on a stress-free life, Mr Kapoor said one should recognise one's weaknesses and strengths and set goals accordingly. "Setting your priorities, having pleasant cooperative relationships at workplace can be helpful in dealing with stress. Reading interesting books and articles can also help you get over stressful situations," he said. Nearly 50 persons attended the workshop including participants from corporates of the city like Punjab Infotech, Fortis, IMTECH, Canadian Institute of International Studies, MILKFED and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration. Mr Sushant Banerjee, said that the library would design a programme to help members de-stress from hectic workplace schedules.
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PFC officials’ training programme ends
Chandigarh, October 9 Mr M.S. Sandhu, Managing Director, Punjab Financial Corporation awarded certificates to the participants of the programme. He said that keeping in view the dynamics of the financial sector, it was imperative for the staff to keep themselves informed of the latest developments and to fine-tune themselves according to changing economic environment, so that the organisation could be competitive and profitable. The topics in the programme included appraisal, disbursement, monitoring & follow-up, monitoring tools, balance sheet analysis, accounting practices, record keeping, recovery mechanism, legal aspects of lending, techniques of business promotion, street management, interpersonal relationship and computer awareness.
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JCT employee remembered
Mohali, October 9 At a function organised by the JCT Electronics Employees and Workers Union in front of the factory gate, Mr A.D. Nagpal, national secretary of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha said it was for the first time in north India that a unit (JCT), which had remained closed for three years, had signed an agreement with employees to revive the factory and start production. The function was attended by a large number of employees and representatives of other trade unions.
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Couple booked for duping man of Rs 10,000
Chandigarh, October 9 Mr Surinder Pal, a resident of Daudpur village in Ropar district, in his complaint to the police alleged that on October 19, 2003, he had applied for a loan of Rs 2 lakh to Tangel Estate in Sector 22-C, run by V.K. Sharma and his wife Saroj Sharma. The couple had given an advertisement in a newspaper that a loan could be obtained from them against a property anywhere in India without any guarantor. He said he talked to V.K. Sharma on phone and inquired about the offer. V.K. Sharma asked him to come to his office with documents. When the complainant went to his office, he was told that the documents were incomplete and that he would have to pay Rs 10,000 as security for the loan. He deposited the money with them on October 19 last year and was asked to come after 20 days to collect the loan money. According to Mr Pal, he went to their office after 20 days and was told that his case had been sent to another company for sanctioning the loan. He said after that he repeatedly tried to contact them on the phone but in vain. When, after sometime, he visited their office, he came to know that they had changed the name of their company as E.M. Estate. He alleged that V.K. Sharma and his wife were evading attempts to contact them during that period. He said he asked the couple to return his money if they could not arrange for a loan to him, but his requests fell on deaf ears. The police has registered a case under Section 420 of the IPC at the Sector 17 police station.
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Mother of Tota’s gang member sets herself ablaze
Chandigarh, October 9 Yogita, mother of two children from Anil Kumar alias Tota is living with him at his house. She also was arrested in a robbery case along with him. According to the police Sarita Chopra (50) mother of Yogita took this extreme step when her daughter was not at home. She set her self on fire by pouring Kerosene oil on her. A boy from the neighborhood noticed smoke coming out of the window of the house. He tried to enter in the house but it was locked from inside. He then went to terrace and jumped in the open area of the house to enter from back side. He noticed the woman being engulfed by fire and the two little children of Yogita were crying beside her. He then called the police and she was rushed to PGI in the police vehicle. The doctors say that she got 100 per cent burns and her condition is serious. The police said that she was mentally upset and might have taken this step under some sort of stress. No case has been registered till the filing of the report as she is unfit to give statement.
Thief arrested
The city police has arrested a thief who was caught red handed while stealing a motorcycle in
Attawa. Mr Sher Singh of Garnala village in Ambala district caught red handed Sukhdeep Singh of Balsauli village in Patiala district while he was stealing his motorcycle on Friday. A case under Section 379 and 411 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered in Sector 36, police station.
Theft
Vipin Jeet Kaur of Sector 9-C, reported to the police that her purse containing Rs 700, and a mobile phone was stolen from her car which was parked at market complex in Sector 34, on October 7. A case of theft has been registered in Sector 34, police station.
Vehicle
stolen
Gaya Prashad of Sector 7-A filed a complaint that his motorcycle (CH-03-P- 9322) was stolen from outside Rose Garden on Friday. A case of theft has been registered at Sector 17, police station.
Missing
Radhay Sham of Bapu Dham Colony reported to the police that his 13 years old son Amar has gone missing from his home since September 4. The child was wearing a blue shirt and white knickers. He is three feet and four inches tall having dark complexion.
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Truck driver held, 5000 bottles of liquor seized
Chandigarh, October 9 According to the police Mohinder Singh of Bhulana village in Kapurthala district was arrested late last night at a post on the Makhan Majra road near level crossing in Vikas Nagar. He was carrying the liquor to Phagwara in his truck (PB-30-b-9238). The police impounded the vehicle and seized 40 big tea bags containing 60 bottles each, 44 small bags containing 48 bottles each, and six bags containing 48 bottles each. The police said the seized a total number of 5160 bottles of whisky in which 4872 bottles were of sunny brand and the remaining bottles were of Every Day brand. The police has registered a case under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act in Mani Majra police
station.
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Mystery shrouds worker’s death
Panchkula, October 9 Bail rejected
Chief Judicial Magistrate Gulab Singh on Saturday rejected the bail application of Balbir Singh, who is accused of stealing goods from the district courts maalkhana. Balbir was arrested by the police last month after a routine checking of the maalkhana by the DSP Headquarters revealed that cash and goods from the maalkhana were missing.
Motor cyclist
killed
A 26-year-old motor cyclist was killed in a road accident in
Chandi Mandir late last night. The victim, Raju, was coming to Panchkula along with a friend when they were hit by an unknown vehicle. In another road accident, Sardara Singh was injured after his Tata 407 was hit by a truck (HP-27-0497) near HMT.
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Suicide bid: couple discharged from hospital
Panchkula, October 9 The couple had alleged that they had taken the step in frustration, after they were harassed by the police for nine days. The police suspected Hira Lal of being involved in a burglary in a flat in HEWO Society, in Sector 5 Mansa Devi Complex. So far, no arrest has been made in this case.
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Traders again plan to woo buyers
Get ready to be carried away by a mega-shopping experience this season. The main markets of the city, Sector 22-D and Sector 17, which have become famous for giving away fabulous prizes to shoppers, are aiming to give bigger and more prizes compared to last year.
Shopping festivals in these markets are set to start with the onset of Navratas from October 15. Last year traders in these markets had wooed shoppers with prizes such as Esteem cars, Mahindra Scorpio, Zen washing machines, DVD players, televisions, motor bikes etc. A trader said this time the prizes could be bigger like Chevrolet Optra or Honda City. Buyers from places like Ludhiana, Ambala, Shimla, Jalandhar, Karnal, Meerut and Gurgaon, visited the markets in previous years, clain various shopkeepers. Last year, 145 shopkeepers under the banner of the Business Promotion Council (BPC) in Sector 17 came together to organise the gift
scheme. The prizes were worth over Rs 25 lakh. Shoppers were given a coupon for a purchase made for specific amount. In total, 3.24 lakh coupons were given away. This time, the number of participating merchants will be more and the prize limit has been nearly doubled to touch Rs 50 lakh. With stakes getting higher, it promises to be a season loaded with excitement for both sides. There are also plans to organise cultural
programmes like dandiya, music with a DJ. The administration has granted us the permission to hold such functions, said shopkeeper Arun Talwar. Similarly, shopkeepers of Sector 22-D, who had pioneered the concept, are also getting ready for their annual shopping festival. Plans are afoot to come up with something different this time. Like last time, all shops will be decorated with lighting. There will be music also, said Mr Arvind Jain, while holding back information on what is the big prize. However, the formal announcement will be made on October 12. — OC
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Electronic screen at Sector 33 apni mandi
Chandigarh, October 9 This is for the first time that the corporation authorities have taken step to curb over charging by vegetable vendors. The screen will keep the customer informed about the days’ prices of different vegetables.
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