COMMUNITY

Re-auction held amid protests
Panchkula, December 20
Mandi Bhavan today again auctioned shop sites and booth sites in Grain Market, Sector 20, here after these had been successfully auctioned in July this year.

Fauji Beat Is unity among ex-servicemen possible? IF the track record of ex-servicemen is anything to go by, then one can say the chances of their unity are dismal. Why? Because every officer after retirement thinks that he can lead them better than all others. Havildar Pritam Singh from Sangrur in a hospital at Mohali after open-heart surgery.

Accused raises pro-‘Khalistan’ slogans at Beant trial
Chandigarh, December 20
The Beant Singh assassination trial on Saturday witnessed strong protests from an accused, Balwant Singh, against the undue delay in the trial.

Cheating case: BKU activists hold protest
Mohali, December 20
Residents of Chilla Manauli village, along with members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), staged a protest outside the SDM office here today in connection with a case where an old man was duped of his land by using unauthorised documents.

Gurdwara panel polls may be declared void
Chandigarh, December 20
Local gurdwara committees elections — as and when held — stand the risk of being declared void following discrepancy between the Gurdwara Act and the Gurdwara Committee Election Rules of 1959.

City gets all-women police post Chandigarh, December 20 The city got its first all-women police post today. It was inaugurated by Dr K.K. Talwar, PGI, Director. Mr Rajesh Kumar and Gaurav Yadav, IG and SSP, respectively, and PGI Medical Superintendent A.K. Gupta were also present on the occasion. Women police officers at the All-Women Police Post inaugurated in the PGI, Chandigarh, on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Woman doctor beats up bus conductor
Mohali, December 20
A conductor of a private bus apologised for passing a comment on two women doctors who were travelling in the bus.

Insurance staff to strike work today
Chandigarh, December 20
Following a call given by the General Insurance Employees All-India Association its local unit will observe total strike in the four public sector general insurance companies tomorrow.

He was a safe driver: mishap victim’s father
Chandigarh, December 20
The police and the family of Ramesh Chawla (50), a city-based businessman killed in a car accident near Timber Trail in Parwanoo on Saturday morning, continue to remain clueless about the cause of the accident.

Press Club invites entries for best report, photograph
Chandigarh, December 20
The Chandigarh Press Club has invited entries for annual awards for the best investigative report and best new photograph for 2004. The club is first in the country to introduce such professional awards. The best investigative report award carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and the best photograph award consists of a citation and Rs 5,000.

2004
IN RETROSPECT
A year of poor development, power cuts
Panchkula, December 20
The year was quite lacklustre till the last quarter. With elections round the year, the spate of inaugurations of various state government head offices, bridges and other infrastructures made news in the otherwise dull year.

Readers Write
Allow private schools in houses
THE Chandigarh Administration should allow private schools to function from residential buildings, and earn the gratitude of 5,000 women teachers, 35,000 students and 70,000 parents.

Entertainment club refutes charges
Chandigarh, December 20
A city-based entertainment company has refuted charges of ‘duping fans of ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh’ or any other of its clients. Mr Gaurav Sharma, CEO of the Tycoon Thatz Life Club, said the company had not ‘disappeared’ as had been reported and was very much in service.

Vijay Divas celebrated
Panchkula, December 20
Members of the Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad celebrated Vijay Divas to mark the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan at Hotel Pallavi, today.

• Anganwari workers hold rally

CRIME

3 proclaimed offenders held
Chandigarh, December 20
The local police has claimed to solve seven cases of thefts with the arrest of four persons while three proclaimed offenders were arrested from Mani Majra, the police said here.

Self-immolation victim succumbs to injuries
Chandigarh, December 20
Bachan Singh, Panjab University’s junior assistant, who set himself ablaze a week ago at the Department of Chemical Engineering, succumbed to his injuries at the PGI yesterday. After conducting a post-mortem, his body was handed over to his family.

Sex determination test violations: 55 cases registered
Mohali, December 20
The cause of the girl child is the topmost priority of the government and efforts are being made to nab the culprits who are indulging in carrying out sex determination tests and illegal abortions of the female foetus.

Fake receipts: probe ordered
Panchkula, December 20
The Municipal Council (MC) has ordered a probe against an auditor and a clerk, who are alleged to have embezzled Rs 40,000, by pocketing money collected as taxes.

Army officer held for rash driving
Mohali, December 20
Two persons, including an Army officer, were arrested by the police on charge of rash driving and deterring a public servant from performing his duty here today.

4 schoolchildren, teacher, hurt in road mishap
Zirakpur, December 20
Six persons, including four schoolchildren and a teacher, were reportedly hurt when their autorickshaw had a head-on collision with a car coming from the opposite direction on the Panchkula-Zirakpur road at Dhakauli village this morning.

Driver booked for hurting religious sentiments
Mohali, December 20
An auto rickshaw driver has been booked by the police on charges of hurting the religious sentiments of people and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion.

BUSINESS

Industry apprehensive of VAT
Chandigarh, December 20
The Chamber of Chandigarh Industries has drawn the attention of the UT Finance Secretary and the Deputy Commissioner on the issue of the introduction of value added tax ( VAT) in the city with effect from April 1, 2005.

Industrialists rue lack of amenities
Panchkula, December 20
Industrialists today rued about the poor civic amenities in the Industrial Area, during the single window meeting of the industry, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Neelam P. Kasni, today.

Traders seek Sonia’s help
Chandigarh, December 20
A delegation of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal headed by its President, Mr Jagdish Arora, visited the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, New Delhi, to submit a memorandum to the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, urging her help in the rent Act issue.

Launched

EDUCATION

Schools celebrate Christmas

Chandigarh, December 20 Students of Dutt Vishesh School, Sector 26, here celebrated Christmas today. They sang carols and a woman dressed as Santa Claus visited the school and distributed sweets among the students. Students of Government Model High School, Sector 29, Chandigarh, present an item during the annual day function of the school on Monday.

NCC making vision statement
Chandigarh, December 20
To enhance the scope of its activities and remove some misconceptions about its aims and functioning, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) is preparing a “Vision statement”. The document will lay down broad policy guidelines to be adopted to achieve the proposed vision.

COURTS

Arts college students move high court
Chandigarh, December 20
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion for January 13, 2005, on a petition filed by nine students of the Government College of Arts, Chandigarh.

LIFESTYLE

‘Tom Sawyer’ coming to city on Dec 22
“TOM Sawyer”, the play, depicts the story of a child who is the embodiment of mischief, innocence and ingeniousness, as a schoolboy and gets himself in trouble as easily and quickly as he comes out of it.

Guys, go for wild look
IF you guys feel that you did not get due attention at the last week’s party, better check your wardrobe.Your outfits might not be in tune with the latest attitude reigning the fashion scene.

Cassette on martyrdom of Sahibzadas launched 
TO commemorate the tercentenary of the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, an audio cassette “Mehal Sikhi da” was launched in Chandigarh on Saturday. The cassette has been produced by city-based film producer Amarjeet Singh under the banner of Creative Vision Films.

‘The Legend of Ashoka’ staged THE supreme virtues of Love came to the fore as the Mask Theatre group offered a Hindi play “The Legend of Ashoka”. The historical play staged at the Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh on Monday in association with the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademy captured the chronology of events leading to transformation of the mighty emperor Ashoka to a humble apostle of truth, non-violence and compassion. Artistes stage the play, “The Legend of Ashoka”, at Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Pilgrim with a patriotic mission DURAI Raman, a resident of Kadllur district, Tamil Nadu, is on a pilgrimage but with a patriotic mission. This 44-year-old bachelor left his home in January 1 this year with just Rs 200 in his pocket. He started his mission from Kanyakumari. He says he is a devotee of Bharat Mata and to worship this land ,he will cover the whole of India on foot. He has a firm belief in God and nature is taking good care of him. To sustain himself he works in tea stalls or dhabas. He also accepts alms from people. He has been lucky in the sense that he has never had to sleep empty stomach. Durai Raman. — A Tribune photograph

Meet ‘Green’ Santa Claus this time
GET ready to interact with a ‘Green’ Santa Claus instead of the usual portly grandfather in red cap this Christmas. As a part of ongoing campaign to raise awareness about the risks of genetically engineered (GE) crops, the Greenpeace is bringing ‘Green Santa’ to the nine cities of India. Green Santa will talk to the people and will make them aware about the grave dangers posed by GE crops, particularly GE rice.

Workshop on print-making begins
THE Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in collaboration with CITCO, Chandigarh, started a regional print-making workshop at the Government College of Art, Sector 10, today.

HEALTH

General Hospital negligent, says mishap victim
Chandigarh, December 20
A physically challenged couple has alleged that they were not treated properly in General Hospital, Sector 16.

SPORTS

A demonstration of Choi Kwang Do.

Website on Choi Kwang Do launched
Chandigarh, December 20
Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts School, Chandigarh, which had been promoting Choi Kwang Do, a form of martial art, in the region for the past more than a decade, today launched its website, providing viewers with a host of information on it.

Junior national archery tourney from Dec 26
Chandigarh, December 20
A national-level competition in archery, 28th Junior National Archery Championship, will be held at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, from December 26 to 28. According to Mr Maha Singh, Secretary of the Chandigarh Archery Association (CAA), the event will be held under the aegis of the Archery Association of India (AAI).

ADMINISTRATION

Don’t harass lovers, SP tells cops
Mohali, December 20
Young boys and girls indulging in vulgar activities in parks of the town will be questioned by the police, said Mr Rakesh Aggarwal, SP, here today.

Date extended
Chandigarh, December 20
The Estate Officer has extended the last date for accepting applications for school sites till December 31. The DC-cum-Estate Officer informed that the application forms are available for sale in the Estate Office counter on the ground floor.