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Rotational power cuts in city likely
Chandigarh, December 22
As severe winter sets in the city is headed for a major power shortage, where cuts will have to be imposed or else the Administration will have to pay a heavy fine for drawing more power than its allocation. Sources in the Administration said a decision will be taken on the basis of continuity of the cold-wave conditions.

Weather blues: flights cancelled, trains delayed
Chandigarh, December 22
Thick fog blanketed large parts of the region, throwing normal life as well as rail and air traffic haywire. Descending right from morning, fog disrupted the movement of vehicular traffic along the Rajpura-Patiala road, besides throwing flights and railway traffic out of schedule.

Fog blanketed the city once again, as weather took a chilly turn this morning. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Unprecedented step by consumer forum
Chandigarh, December 22
The Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has taken an unprecedented step to implement its order regarding registration of a conveyance deed of a property. The forum appointed an advocate as the Local Commissioner, who acted on behalf of the Estate Officer to get the deed registered.

4 Estate Office employees booked
Plot allotment files found missing
Chandigarh, December 22
As many as 71 files pertaining to allotments of plots to slum dwellers of Kumhar Colony, Sector 25, have been found missing from the Estate Office, forcing the Deputy Commissioner to lodge an FIR against four employees of the Estate Office.

Kalam makes brief stopover Chandigarh, December 22 Dense fog led to the delay in the arrival of the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, for more than two hours and 30 minutes here. Dr Kalam after his brief stopover in the city and hopped onto a helicopter for Himachal Pradesh. He was scheduled to arrive at 9.15 am and his aircraft from Delhi landed at 11.40 am. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr O.P. Chautala, and senior officers of the Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh Administration were present to greet him.

The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, being received by the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, and the Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala, at Chandigarh Airport on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahahan

Kin of defence personnel exempted from toll tax
Chandigarh, December 22
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has, in a revised notification, included family members of armed forces personnel as well as NCC cadets among those exempted from paying toll tax.

Focus on fairness of military’s judicial system
Chandigarh, December 22
With the Army witnessing several high-profile trials by the general court martial, including the infamous tehelka scam, instances of officers’ faking kills in Siachen and a major being tried for an alleged rape, attention has been focused on the fairness and objectivity of the military’s judicial system.

Educating British Asians on Indian laws Chandigarh, December 22 For easy comprehension of Indian statute and laws affecting British-Asians, two city-based lawyer brothers have penned down a book “Acting for Non-Resident Indian Clients”. City-based advocates Ranjit and Anil Malhotra with Brother R.I. Meredith (in the middle) during the release of their book in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Bravehearts share joys of Christmas
Chandigarh, December 22
“For those who lean on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessing”. This message of Christ makes absolute sense when applied in the cases of Mary T.A. and Swapna who were born incomplete.

COMMUNITY

Anand Complex — a blot on the face of Sector 17 Chandigarh, December 22 The Anand Complex is proving to be a blot on the face of the heart of the city — Sector 17. Devoid of basic amenities, the complex seems to be nobody’s baby with the Chandigarh Administration and the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh looking the other way. In fact, with the complex under liquidation for the past about seven years, the 45 tenants are at the receiving end of the authorities.   Garbage littered in the Anand Complex speaks volumes about insanitary conditions in Sector 17, Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pardeep Tiwari

City man new PF federation secy-gen Chandigarh, December 22 The newly elected secretary-general of the All-India Employees Provident Fund Staff Federation, Mr Vijay Kumar Sharma, today said he would strive to fulfill the long-pending demands of the employees. Vijay Kumar Sharma

Power theft: police help sought
Mohali, December 22
The Punjab State Electricity Board has approached the police to book two residents of Phase XI on charges of power theft. The PSEB authorities have imposed fines on the two families living in the LIG houses in Phase XI for indulging in power theft.

Cured of leprosy, they have no place to go

Chandigarh, December 22 Leprosy has been completely cured at Kusht Ashram, the home for leprosy patients in the city. The mandatory follow-up check-ups have also concluded and most of the inmates of the ashram fail to recall when the last leprosy patient was inducted within the community. Krishna (extreme left) shares a point with fellow inmates of Kusht Ashram for leprosy patients in Chandigarh on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Rules delay baby’s adoption
Chandigarh, December 22
It’s been about a month when an issueless couple found a male child abandoned on a heap of garbage and all efforts to seek his legal adoption have proved futile. In the process, the infant, that would have found a home, is still at the Mother Teresa Home in Sector 23.

X’mas gift for inmates of Old Age Home
Chandigarh, December 22
Inmates of the Sector 15 Old Age Home woke up to a pleasant surprise today as students of Sacred Heart Convent School, Samrala, visited them to wish Merry Christmas.

Khalsa Chetna March begins
Mohali, December 22
A Khalsa Chetna March, organised by various religious bodies in connection with the 300th martyrdom anniversary of the four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, started from Gurdwara Amb Sahib here today. The march will reach Fatehgarh Sahib.

Sikhi Gaurav March held
Mohali, December 22
The Shatabdi Purab Committee organised a Sikhi Gaurav March for schoolchildren in connection with the 300th martyrdom anniversary of the four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh here today.

3 cops found underweight
Panchkula, December 22
As many as three cops were found to be unfit for blood donation, during a camp organised by the district police at the Economic Offences Wing of the police. These cops were found to be underweight, and thus could not donate blood, during a camp organised in association with the General Hospital, Panchkula.

Refresher course for DSPs
Chandigarh, December 22
The Chandigarh Police is organising a two-day refresher course for DSPs from tomorrow in the Police Headquarters in Sector 9 here. The Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Mr Krishan Mohan, will inaugurate the course.

CRIME

Flesh trade racket busted, 2 held
Panchkula, December 22
The Panchkula police busted flesh trade racket tonight by arresting a Delhi-based call girl and an accomplice of the pimp. The man, who was allegedly running the racket, Varinder Kumar Sharma, however, managed to escape under the cover of fog.

Sec 17 shop, two houses burgled
Chandigarh, December 22
Goods worth lakhs were stolen from a shop in Sector 17 while two houses were burgled in the city according to the police here today. Mr Vikram Nijhawan told to the police that more than 100 sets of mobile phones, digital cameras and other electrical gadgets were stolen from his shop SCO No. 4, Sector 17-E, last night.

Tribune lensman harassed
Chandigarh, December 22
In a case of mistaken identity, Parvesh Chauhan, a staff photographer of The Tribune, was harassed for over an hour yesterday by a team of the Sector 34 police station.

Caught for stealing manhole covers
Mohali, December 22
One of the three persons, who were trying to steal manhole covers, was caught by residents in Sector 71 here today. The thief was reportedly beaten up by the residents before being handed over to the police.

BUSINESS

• Biz Clip

EDUCATION

Rayat College issue comes under fire
Chandigarh, December 22
Attesting of examination forms of students of Rayat College, Ropar, by the Chairperson of the Law Department, Panjab University, and their taking the examination at the university came under fire at the recent meeting of the Senate held last week.

2004: IN RETROSPECT
Agitations, elections dominated PU campus
Chandigarh, December 22
Agitations and elections dominated the better part of the year at Panjab University. The hosting of the Indian Science Congress, setting up of a dental college on the campus and beginning of the five-year integrated law course were among the high points on the campus this year.

PU staff hold rally on pension issue
Chandigarh, December 22
Teaching and non-teaching employees of Panjab University held a protest rally outside the office of the Vice-Chancellor here today to appeal for early approval of amendments to the Pension Scheme, 1991, passed by the Senate at its last meeting.

Senators talk of priorities
Chandigarh, December 22
Stating that the principle of rotation in the elections to various bodies of Panjab University united them, eight Senators today said their main considerations were making the university more viable for higher education, introducing of pension scheme for employees, improving the examination system and solving problems of affiliated colleges.

Training programme for maths teachers
Chandigarh, December 22
A six-day programme for master trainers in mathematics for DAV primary and secondary maths teachers being organised by the DPPI was inaugurated at Navodaya Leadership Institute, Sector 25, Chandigarh, here by Dr C. Prakash, Vice-President of the DAV College Managing Committee.

DPS celebrates annual day Chandigarh, December 22 A bedecked campus of Delhi Public School, Sector 40, today welcomed the visitors on the occasion of first annual day celebrations of the school. A huge pandal had been erected in the school campus as the school auditorium was under construction. From left: Tanisha Raizada, Tejeshwar Singh and Staffy Bhateja, students of DPS, who won gold medals at the prize distribution function on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Inquiry sought against CBSE official
Chandigarh, December 22
Demanding a fair inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment against the regional officer of the CBSE, members of the Mahila Sangharsh Committee today staged a demonstration outside the regional office of the CBSE in Sector 32 here today.

WTO to play crucial role, says Kidwai
Chandigarh, December 22
The Governor of Haryana, Dr A.R. Kidwai, said today that in the age of globalisation and modernisation, the World Trade Organisation could play an important role. The young generation would be the main beneficiary once the 28 agreements were implemented by developing countries.

X’mas functions at schools Chandigarh, December 22 St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, organised Christmas-cum-annual prize distribution function here. A Christmas tree was put up at the school entrance. The playgroup children danced to English music. Senior girls performed a Bengali dance. Tinytots of Blue Bird School, Sector 16, Panchkula, celebrate Christmas on the school premises on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Students dance with Santa Claus Mohali, December 22 Students and staff of Sri Hemkunt Public School, Sector 71, here today celebrated Christmas and New Year on the school premises. Students danced with Santa Claus. They also sang Christmas carols and staged skits. Students of Sri Hemkunt Public School, Sector 71, Mohali, celebrate Christmas and New Year on Wednesday.

Students meet DC
Panchkula, December 22
Students of Government College here met the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Neelam P. Kasni, and complained that some hooligans were harassing them outside the college gate.

LIFESTYLE

Euphoria casts a winning spell Hindi rock dominated SJOBA’s (St John’s Old Boys Association) winter fest as the “euphoric” melodies of Palash Sen set the note for celebrations at St John’s tonight. Amidst extravagance and style, the lead singer of Euphoria Dr Palash Sen managed to strike incredibly earthy melodies, the ones that typify his music best. Palash Sen, lead singer of Euphoria, performs on the occasion of St John’s Old Boys Association’s winter fest at St John’s in Sector 26 on Wednesday. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Printmaking workshop gets under way The printmaking workshop of Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi, started at Government Art College, Sector 10, today with printmakers assembling to lend shape to ideas. An annual feature, the workshop will conclude on December 26 when the college authorities will display the works created during the camp. Artists from various parts of North India participate in a printmaking camp being held at the Government College of Arts, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Satinder Kanwar — poetess of the masses “Years went by Years will come, You are my love Until death to come”. Satinder Kanwar Kohli’s entreaty for love is the opening couplet of poem ‘Silver Jubilee’ that won her the ‘Golden Poet’ Award for 1990 in Las Vegas. Born at Rawalpindi (Pakistan), educated in Delhi and now settled at Birmingham after 20 years of stay in Toronto, Kanwar was blessed with a peculiar emotional sensibility and the vision of a poet. Kanika acting in Telugu films                  Chandigarh-based Kanika Ashok came into the limelight with the Paris modelling assignment for a retail store in France. Now she has found a foothold in the Telugu film industry where she is playing the lead role opposite famous Telegu actor Raja under the banner of Jagan Cine-Maa.              Kanika Ashok

Gita Jayanti celebrations The local chapter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness celebrated Gita Jayanti at Hare Krishna Dham, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh here on Wednesday with religious fervor and enthusiasm, according to Nand Maharaj Dasa Prabhu, President, local unit of ISKCON. Devotees at a Gita Jayanti function at the Hare Krishna Dham, Sector 36-B, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

2004: IN RETROSPECT
A year of appointments, politicking, administrative clashes at PGI
Chandigarh, December 22
A new Director, a new Deputy Director, Administration and the inclusion of more senior faculty members marked 2004. It also saw the PGI moving towards an administrative change under new stewardship amid a lot of mudslinging and tussle at the top.

• 1,000 donate blood

SPORTS

US expert gives tips on cho kwon do

Chandigarh, December 22 Master Marshall Pereira, black belt (6th dan) from the USA, who has been teaching martial arts for over 20 years and is an authority in choi kwon do, was in the city today to guide trainees on this art. Marshall Pereira from the USA gives tips to students during a choi kwon do martial art training camp at the skating rink, Sector 10, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph

Infighting hits SGFI working
Chandigarh, December 22
Confusion continues to prevail over the working of the School Games Federation of India, which is responsible for the conduct of school sports in the country. The key office-bearers of the federation have been fighting over the control of the federation and in the past many years, the lust to remain in power has brought a bad name to the federation.

Haryana AG win football tourney Chandigarh, December 22 Varinder Kanwar of AG, Audit, Haryana, enabled his team to win the final tie against the DGACR, New Delhi, by one goal to nil to win the title in the North Zone (IA and AD) Audit Football Tournament played here today at the football grounds, Sector 17. Varinder scored the goal in the fourth minute of the match.   Amritpal of AG, Haryana, controls the ball during their final match against DGACR in the North Zone Audit Football Tournament in Chandigarh on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph