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SC orders give hope to industrial plot allottees
Chandigarh, December 18
There is finally hope for the aspirants of industrial plots in the city with the Supreme Court directing the Chandigarh Administration to give possession of these plots within the next two weeks to those who have already deposited the money. The orders of the apex court have come in a contempt petition that was heard on Monday.

Couple held for selling blue film CDs
Panchkula, December 18
The police here tonight arrested a couple for selling and renting out blue film CD’s in Sector 20 and recovered over 100 CD’s of blue films from them — Rajiv Gupta and his wife. Police sources inform that they had tip-off on the couple renting out blue films through their video parlour- Rhythm and Blues in Sector 20 market.

Mr Rajiv Gupta and his wife with the blue film VCDs seized from their shop in Sector 20, Panchkula, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

• 36 porn CDs seized

Haryana staff work on holiday to finish ‘urgent’ work
Panchkula, December 18
Amidst fears by Opposition parties that the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) government in the state would pass orders in back dates, and thus violate the model code of conduct, a number of state government offices in the district remained open today.

Police recruitment
Candidates with admit cards not allowed to take test
Chandigarh, December 18
A number of candidates with the admit cards, who had cleared the physical test were not allowed to sit for the written examination held by the Chandigarh police in the police Lines in Sector 26 today.

Fog delays 5 trains, including Shatabdi
Chandigarh, December 18
Rail traffic remained disrupted due to poor visibility levels across the region today. As fog grew dense right from Delhi to Ambala this morning, many trains were delayed causing inconvenience to passengers.

Tehelka trial: Sahgal admits to ‘slight breach of security’
Chandigarh, December 14
Col Anil Sahgal, who is being tried for professional impropriety in the Tehelka case, today stated before the general court martial at Chandimandir that though he had asked his assistant P. Sashi not to interact with the Tehelka team, posing as arms dealers, he had not initiated any measures to ensure the security of important documents in his possession.

• Dr HM Swami appointed GMCH Director-Principal
• Appointment of PEC Director next week likely
• City resident dies in mishap

COMMUNITY

100 blankets donated
Chandigarh, December 18
The Reality Outdoors, a social organisation, today donated 100 blankets to the Seva Bharti and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, for poor and the orphans.

Rs 100 printed wrongly
Chandigarh, December 18
This Rs 100 note is not a fake note but is misprinted. The wire which should be near Gandhiji’s photo is inserted wrongly on the other side. Even the cutting of the sides of the note is flawed. The most glaring printing mistake is that “Rs 100” has been printed twice.

Khalsa Chetna march welcomed
Mohali, December 18
The Khalsa Chetna March which started from Paonta Sahib was given a very warm welcome by the local Shtabadi Purab Committee near YPS chowk here today.

Anganwadi workers plan rally
Chandigarh, December 18
Anganwadi workers and helpers from all over Punjab have decided to hold protest rally and demonstration at Jalandhar, the constituency of Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab Ms Gurkanwal Kaur against the "indifferent" attitude of the state and Central government towards their genuine and urgent demands.

Anganwadi workers hold a meeting at Saini Bhavan in Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Dharna by bank staff
Chandigarh, December 22
Staff members of the Oriental Bank Of Commerce today staged a dharna at the Bank square in Chandigarh on a call given by the All-India Oriental Bank Employees Federation and the All India Oriental Bank Officers Association.

New twist to sexual harassment case
Chandigarh, December 18
In a new twist to the alleged sexual harassment case, the two women employees of the regional office of the Central Board of Secondary Education, Sector 32, who withdrew their complaint against the Regional Officer, Mr P.I. Sabu, today, claimed that they were being threatened by an employee who had master-minded the “drama”.

6 more women move NHRC against Sabu
Chandigarh, December 18
Six women staff members today approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Regional Officer, Mr P.I. Sabu, facing charges of sexual harassment.

Panel to probe suicide bid
Chandigarh, December 18
Three days after an employee of Panjab University’s Chemical Engineering Department attempted self-immolation, the Administrative Committee of the Department, today, constituted a sub-committee to look into the matter and recommend action.

A double chunk of luck
Panchkula, December 18
A local industrialist got double lucky when he lost a briefcase twice and was able to recover it on both occasions. Mr Devinder Pal, who owns a pharma unit here, first lost his briefcase in the morning. He had gone for a morning walk to Yavanika garden where the briefcase was stolen from his car. Subsequently, he informed the police.

Snowfall near Chandigarh!
Panchkula, December 18
Snowfall in the plains, and that too near Chandigarh was a dream come true for people especially kids who had a gala time playing pranks and games at the Funcity amusement park, about 10 km from here, this evening. Scores of kids enjoyed the ice games with their parents and friends.

Snowfall near Chandigarh!: Revellers play as snowflakes drop during an artificial snowfall created at the Funcity amusement park, near Chandigarh, on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

CRIME

Three bodies found
Chandigarh, December 18
Three bodies, including that of an infant, were found in different parts of the city today. Raj Kumar, a resident of Sector 46, was found dead in his house this morning. He was working as a lower divisional clerk in Garrison Engineering Company. He might have died one or two days ago, the police said. He was living alone. His family lives in their native Amb village in Himachal Pradesh.

Suicide by watchman
Chandigarh, December 18
A watchman committed suicide by hanging from a tree in a PWD building in Sector 39. The employees found him dead today morning. Lingam (50) lived in a Community Centre in Maloya with his wife, and suffered from a chronic disease who works in the same centre. The police said he might have hanged himself last night when he was alone in the building.

Suicide by architect
Panchkula, December 18
A 24-year-old architect, Poonam, committed suicide by consuming poison at Pinjore yesterday. 

Firm duped of 2.05 lakh
Chandigarh, December 18
A man allegedly duped a company of Rs 2.05 lakh by submitting a forged registration certificate of a car. Mr Shammy Kapoor of Kotak Mohindra in Sector 9 reported to the police alleging that Mahesh Dutt got a loan of Rs 2.05 lakh from the company to buy an Indica car in February this year.

Rs 20,000 stolen from scooter’s boot
Chandigarh, December 18
A house in Sector 45-C was burgled while Rs 20,000 were stolen from the boot of a scooter, the police said here today. Mr Bhaskar Pandey of Sector 45-C filed a complaint that two gold chains, two gold earrings and one silver anklet were stolen from his house during day on December 16. A case under Sections 454 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code had been registered in the Sector 34 police station.

Gold ornaments, cash stolen
Chandigarh, December 18
Gold ornaments and Rs 1,000 in cash were stolen from a house, while a car and a jeep were stolen from different parts of the city yesterday. Ms Sarita Kumari of Sector 20 filed a complaint to the police that a gold locket, a gold ring, a gold ‘tikka’, two pairs of gold earrings, two gold bangles, a pair of gold ‘kundals’, some other articles and Rs 1,000 in cash were stolen from her house yesterday.

BUSINESS

Emotions dwarf business at UBS reunion
Chandigarh, December 18
Nostalgia reigned at the reunion function of the University Business School, Panjab University, here today, as students from various batches got together at the Evening Studies Auditorium. Bear-hugs were exchanged and managers from various companies took time off from the function to catch up with the latest in the lives of their friends.

A section of the alumni at the annual reunion of the University Business School at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Saturday. —Tribune Photo

Beopar Mandal submits memo to Union Minister
Chandigarh, December 18
A delegation of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), led by Mr Jagdish Arora, yesterday submitted a memorandum regarding the Rent Act notification by the Chandigarh Administration to Union Urban Development Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, in New Delhi.

EDUCATION

St Soldier school celebrates 10th anniversary
Mohali, December 18
Junior Jingles, a cultural show by tiny tots, was presented as part of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of St Soldier International Convent School (SSICS), Phase VII, here today.

Neha group enthrals
Chandigarh, December 18
The dance performance by Neha Group was the main highlight of the weekend cultural show at Plaza, Sector 17 on Saturday. Punjabi and western dances were presented gracefully.

Aritses of Neha Group performing at a culture show at Plaza, Sector 17, Chandigarh on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

City students excel
Chandigarh, December 18
City students have won top three positions in the fourth semester of B. Tech (Mechanical) examination and top slots in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) examination held by Punjab Technical University. Over 10,000 students from 40 colleges across Punjab appeared in the examination, whose results were declared this month.

Cultural show by Lawerance school children
Mohali, December 18
A cultural show was presented by students of Lawerance Public Senior Secondary School, Phase VI, here today as part of annual day celebrations. Students of Class VIII gave a dance performance while those of Class IX presented an item highlighting problems of people and how the modern generation takes ups these challenges and finds easy solutions to them.

Thematic show by school pupils
Mohali, December 18
The pre-primary section of Ajit Karam Singh International School presented a colourful thematic show on the premises of the institution in Phase XI here today. Children enacted various stage shows of the Universal Studios, Florida, the most popular among them being the Disney musical “Elves and the shoemaker”. The Disney characters Goofy and Micky enthralled the children and their parents.

From Schools
Tiny tots showcase talent
Chandigarh, December 18
The annual sports and cultural function, “Rhythm and Beats”, of St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School, Sector 44, was held today on the school premises. Tiny tots of pre-KG took the audience to the Arabian fantasy land with their splendid performance. 

Children take part in carol singing in Chandigarh Baptist School in Sector 45, Chandigarh on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

COURTS

Lok adalat settles 584 cases
Chandigarh, December 18
As many as 584 cases of motor accident claims, civil and criminal matters were settled at a special lok adalat at the district courts in Sector 17 here today. A sum of Rs 54.55 lakh was awarded in 29 motor accident claim cases and Rs 1.88 lakh recovered in 1,235 summary cases, Ms Neerja Kulwant Kalson, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh, said.

Remand of Muskan murder accused extended
Chandigarh, December 18
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Ms Neerja Kulwant Kalson, yesterday extended the police remand of Sheetal alias Shruti and Dildar, accused in the murder of call girl Muskan at Hotel Shivalikview recently, till December 20. They were arrested from Delhi.

Brigadier gets Rs 10,000 compensation
Chandigarh, December 18
Holding Citicorp Maruti Finance Limited, Chennai, and its local associates responsible for deficiency in service, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has awarded a compensation of Rs 10,000 to a retired Brigadier.

CULTURE

Film Review
Shah Rukh proves his class
After weaving the rustic magic in 'lagaan', director Ashutosh Gowarikar once again has created the vintage village albeit minus the same potency in 'Swadesh'. The film is not in the class of chartbusters which sets a new trend .

Two Hindi plays staged
Mohali, December 18
Two Hindi plays were presented by the local Adakar Manch at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, today. The plays, “Show must go on” and “Khali seep” were produced by Thespian Theatre Group and were the 15th presentation of the Adakar Manch, which presented one play each month.

His poetry inspires optimism
Chandigarh, December 18
“Poori hundi hai udon jeevan thi tasveer, jad Maznu di peed cho’n paida hon Kabir.” Blending romanticism and ethical essences Prof Nirmal Dutt revealed radical new vision in his poetic renditions today. He was interacting with the litterateurs at a special programme ‘An Evening with Prof Nirmal Dutt’ by the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademy today. A well-read literary thinker and critic he maintained that literature was the best strength of spirit against all odds. 

LIFESTYLE

Five elements showcased in fashion show
Fashion is a creative statement. Imparting an elegant look to the user is satisfying as well as painstaking task. So when students of Fashion design of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Sector 35, Chandigarh showcased their collection at their annual fashion show it became quite clear that their efforts have borne fruits.

Models sashay down the ramp, exhibiting the talent of budding designers of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Sector 35, Chandigarh, at Ramgarh Fort, Panchkula on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Dancing enchantress
No sooner do you blink your eyes than Shovana Narayan has reinvented herself. Fiercely purposeful and genuinely inspired, the doyen of Indian classical dance was in Chandigarh on one of those routine visits for SPIC MACAY. Her presentation, however, was not routine by any standards. It was sparkling fresh and all inspiring just like her belief in the power of kathak to tell old tales in contemporary moulds.

“Frozen excellence”: Shovana Narayan lives the joy of kathak on the stage of St Kabir School, Sector 26, where she gave a lecture demonstration under SPIC MACAY's "Virasat"s series. 
— A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

Scabies cases in winter go up
Chandigarh, December 18
As personal hygiene during winter goes down, many city residents, especially slum-dwellers are walking to clinics with scabies — the itching of skin. Lack of bathing and wearing of infected clothes is the main cause of this infectious skin disease.

5 more cases of leprosy detected
Chandigarh, December 18
Five more cases of leprosy along with more than 1000 skin disease cases were detected at the leprosy detection camp held at Colony No 4 and Industrial area Phase I here today. 

SPORTS

Final showdown: Amar Ujala Vs The Indian Express
The Tribune 'A' and The Times of India tumble at penultimate hurdle
Chandigarh, December 18
The cricket teams of Amar Ujala and The Indian Express will be pitted against each other in the tomorrow's final of the Hutch Inter-Media Cricket Tournament, being played here at the DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8. In the first semi-final, Amar Ujala romped the match by a resounding seven-wicket win over The Times of India.

Kamleshwar Singh of The Indian Express hits a four during the inter-media cricket tournament at the DAV School on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Quark Media has the last laugh at CRY-Cadence meet
Chandigarh, December 18
The Quark Media XI clinched the Second CRY Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge meet, which concluded here today at the Sector 3 Sports Complex, Panchkula. The Quark XI outplayed the Infosys XI by 17 runs.

Minerva Academy outplayed in cricket
Chandigarh, December 18
The Professional Cricket club outplayed Minerva Academy by nine runs in a close finish in the Second Lieut-Colonel IS Deol Memorial Cricket Champions League Tournament played here today at PCA Stadium, Mohali. Mr IS Bindra, President, Punjab Cricket Association gave away the prizes. Radhey Sham of Professional Cricket club was declared man of the match.

ADMINISTRATION

Admn notifies holidays for 2005
Chandigarh, December 18
The Chandigarh Administration yesterday notified the schedule of holidays for the next year. The number of holidays has been kept almost the same as last year. Besides Sundays and Saturdays, the following will be the closed days in the offices of the Chandigarh Administration.

EO to post property records on website
Chandigarh, December 18
Under an ambitious project, the UT Estate Office here will post the details of about 65,000 property records held by the office on the Chandigarh Administration’s website www.chd.nic.in. This is aimed at bringing about transparency in the land records and provide easy access to city residents.