Kurukshetra, November 11
The Haryana Governor and Chancellor Kurukshetra University, Dr A.R. Kidwai today honoured about 170 metitorious students, who had excelled in various fields of education and other extracurricular activities. The second award ceremony was held at university auditorium. He said, “India has registered tremendous growth, particularly in the field of software technology and engineering. From a borrower of expert knowhow, India today has emerged as the supplier of scientific knowledge and scientifically trained human resource.”

Dr Kidwai was optimistic that India was poised to become third economic power in the world by 2050 after China and the USA. He drew the attention of the audience to the World Trade Organisation’s new global policy which provided for free trade of goods as well as human resource. In the wake of globalisation, India stood a strong chance of emerging as the hub of economic and industrial activity, he added.

He observed that “although China today has an edge over India in the world market, yet two distinct advantages favour India’s future. They were the use of English as second language and its democratic set-up, which were great incentives to the investors and entrepreneurs all over the world.”

Dr Kidwai cautioned that the pace of economic progress would propel India’s chances of world power if education provided to the youth was of high quality and standards. He recalled how the vision of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Mullana Abdul Kalam Azad of introducing quality technical education fructified into IITs at Mumbai, Kanpur and Delhi, which were providing education of global standards. He called upon the youth to keep up their spirit of hard work and succeed well and utilise the ever expanding job market.

Welcoming the chief guest, the Vice-Chancellor of university, Dr A.K. Chawla highlighted the steps being taken by the university for providing quality education to its students so as to help them in getting better placements after completing their studies. He maintained that such functions would definitely inspire the students to feel their responsibility for becoming good citizens. These functions no doubt have great motivational value and promote the cause of social growth, he added.

Kalpana Chawla Memorial Best Researcher, Best Researcher in Sanskrit, Topper in M.A. Sanskrit, Lupin Award, Kalpana Chawla Memorial Topper in the university in post graduate courses, Major Nitin Bali Memorial Award to the best sportsman, NSS volunteers, NCC cadets, officers, best artist of cultural activities and best affiliated colleges of the university were among those, who were honoured by presenting medals, citations and cash awards.

Hisar, November 11
As many as 22 municipal councillors exercised their right to vote at a meeting of the local Municipal Council held here today. The meeting had been called in connection with a no-confidence motion against the council president, Mr Yashvir Goel.

The SDO (Civil), Mr Pradeep Kumar Dagar, who is also the Presiding Officer of the Municipal Council, said the voting was conducted smoothly. The ballot papers had been sealed in the presence of the court observer, Mr Mahenderpal Singh, he added. Mr Dagar said 22 members cast their vote through secret ballot.

On the other hand, Mr Goel reiterated that the meeting and the voting process were illegal. He even threatened to file a fresh case in the court in this regard. He said as per the Municipal Act, after an unsuccessful no-trust move, another meeting for the purpose could not be called before six months. He pointed out that even if such a meeting was necessary, a 15-day notice should have been given to the members.

The local Congress MP, Mr Jai Prakash, who was present at the meeting, alleged that owing to pressure from the state government he was not allowed to vote. He alleged that the district administration had taken an unconstitutional stance under political pressure.

However, Mr Dagar asserted that Mr Jai Prakash did not express his intention to cast his vote during the meeting. Neither did he raise an objection after the voting was over, he added.

Mr Dagar said he had conducted the meeting and voting through secret ballot under court’s observation. He maintained that the matter regarding the validity of the meeting would now be heard by the court on November 16.

Panipat, November 11
The Haryana Government has shifted Panipat City Magistrate Jeet Singh, who is accused of rape and fraud marriage, and made as Chief Conservator of Forest Department at Chandigarh, reliable sources said.

Mr Jeet Singh was accused by a Sonepat girl that he had raped her for eight months after conducting a "sham" marriage with her. An FIR under several sections including Sections 376 and 420, IPC, was filed against Mr Jeet Singh at Model Town police station on the court's order on November 4.

However, the police did not start any process for his arrest allegedly due to political pressure even after eight days of registration of the FIR. He had been reportedly on leave since November 3, a day before registration of the FIR.

Asanda, November 11
A pale-looking Sonia returned home today on the Divali eve, exactly a month after she was forced to leave by a khap panchayat that had ordered dissolution of her marriage.

She spent the past four weeks in the gynaecology ward of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, where she was admitted for a threatened abortion due to mental stress following the panchayat diktat.

Talking to The Tribune on her return, Sonia said, “I have exactly the same feeling as I had when I came here for the first time after my marriage. I have no illwill against anyone. I want to live in peace."

Her husband Rampal said Sonia’s return had made their Divali “happier”. He complimented Sonia for her courage, saying, “She stood her ground even when I buckled under pressure from the panchayat.. She is a brave girl."

Sonia’s sister-in-law Sheela, who stood by her through thick and thin, said they were now awaiting the birth of Sonia’s child. “God willing we will have another Divali five months from now when the baby comes."

Rampal’s mother Moorti Devi distributed sweets among all visitors to the house. She said at one stage she had lost all hope of Sonia’s return. “It was a nightmare. I feared she may not have another abortion. But God was kind. She is back to where she belongs," she added.

Sonia and Rampal had been directed by a gotra khap panchayat to dissolve their marriage and live as siblings on October 10. However, Sonia refused to accept the verdict. 

Chandigarh, November 11
The president of Indian National Lok Dal(INLD) of the Haryana unit, Mr Ashok Arora, who is also the Transport Minister, today appointed the presidents of district kisan cells of INLD with the advice of INLD president, Om Prakash Chautala.

Mr Shiv Ram Chauhan has been appointed for district Faridabad, Mr Balwan Singh Palla for district Gurgaon, Mr Rajbir Singh Sataundi for district Karnal and Commandant Satyadev Pawti for district Panipat.

Mr Lila Ram Gujjar has been appointed for district Kaithal, Mr Ram Kishan Siroha for district Sonipat, Mr Tek Ram Kandela for district Jind, Mr Amarpal, Sarpanch, for district Fatehabad, Mr Jaipal, Sarpanch, Bandaheri, for district Hisar, Mr Surinder Singh Vaidwala for district Sirsa, Ch Chattar Singh Dhani Phougat for district Bhiwani, Hawa Singh Kalanaur for district Rohtak, Mr Kartar Singh for district Panchkula, Mr Bhoop Singh Beri for district Jhajjar, Mr Raja Ram Yadav for district Rewari, Mr Dharampal Tobra for district Mahendragarh, Mr Baldev Singh Ram Nagar for district Kurukshetra, Mr Maan Singh Deshwal for district Yamunanagar and Mr Gurudev Singh Sullar for district Ambala.

Hisar, November 11
Dr M.S.Narwal of the Department of Plant Breeding has been elected president of the Haryana Agricultural University Teachers Association (HAUTA). In a close contest, Dr Narwal defeated Dr H.D.Yadav by 20 votes.

The Returning Officer, Dr R.C.Sihag, announced the results here last night. According to the poll results, Dr S.K. Kadyan was elected secretary of the association. On the other hand, the post of vice-president was won by Dr Kuldeep Deswal.

Dr Rajvir Singh was elected joint secretary while the post of treasurer went to Dr S.S.Sangwan.