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United colours of a passion — cricket
‘Them’ become ‘us’ at Mohali
Chandigarh, March 8
Emotions of Friendship, love, and brotherhood between traditional rivals ruled the first day of the test series between India and Pakistan, both inside and outside the stadium. Professing a lasting relationship strengthened with emotional bonding, Indians and Pakistanis took the bilateral ties between the two nations a step ahead, using cricket as an anchor.

Sharmila lost, and found
Mohali, March 8
In the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here a few friends were discussing cricket when suddenly bollywood actress of yesteryears Sharmila Tagore appeared and asked “Where was I sitting?” Dressed in a crisp blue, the lady had lost way in the maze of dark glassed cabins on the second floor at the PCA pavilion and was looking for her “Tiger”.

• Cricket match: who will pay for security?

Poor occupancy in hotels
Guests go for budget accommodation
Chandigarh, March 8
Several city hotels which had cancelled corporate bookings to host Pakistani visitors have been incurring heavy losses as most of them have gone elusive.

Razzaq repays debt Chandigarh, March 8 The ace Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq had been waiting for seven years to repay his debt to a local doctor who had operated upon him in 1997 when the player injured his leg in a match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Mohali. The family members of Dr Ravi Gupta flanked by Abdul Razzaq’s wife, Aisha, (left) and Yousuf Youhana’s wife, Tania, and her son at their residence at Sector 32 in Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Counters set up for guests from Pak
Chandigarh, March 8
The Sector 17 market is wearing a festive look these days. Different counters have been set up by the Municipal Corporation and the Traders Association, Sector 17, in order to help the guests from Pakistan.

An Indian supporter cheers Indian team during the first day of Indo-Pak Test match at PCA Stadium, Mohali, on Tuesday. Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Police extends visas of 12 Pak guests
Mohali, March 8
Pakistani visitors to Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula now can travel up to Delhi and Ajmer.

Cops at PCA stadium go without water
Mohali, March 8
The 2000 police personnel on guard duty outside the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here today went without water for over 7 hours. The men were called for duty at 6 am in the morning and till lunch time at 1 pm, no arrangements were in place for water for these policemen.

Sight-seeing, not match, interests visitors
Chandigarh, March 8
Even as the Pakistan cricketers had a tough time against the Indians at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today, a large number of young visitors had a gala time outside the stadium.

Celebrity status giving Pakistanis tough time
Chandigarh, March 8
Their crossover from Wagah gave them a high. A welcome exuding Indian warmth, red carpets rolled out wherever they went, the Pakistani nationals couldn’t have asked for more and thus began their Indian dream. After all, camarderie was all the Indo-Pak cricket series was about. That, of course, is history.

‘Pak guests’ pockets picked’
Mohali, March 8
Though the first day of the Indo-Pak Test match remained peaceful, complaints of pick pocketing were received.

CRICKET CHARISMA

Pakistani cricket fans have a round of PCA Stadium with Indian and Pakistani flags in hands before the start of match at PCA Stadium in Mohali on Tuesday.

A huge kite being removed by the ground staff of the PCA Stadium.

A roadside vendor sells Tricolours outside the PCA Stadium.

A Pakistani supporter holds his country’s flag at the first day of Indo-Pak Test match.

We’re doing good: A young fan sends an SMS of match score to friends.

A TV channel interviews Pakistanis at the Sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photographs

Youth dies as car catches fire
Mohali, March 8
A youth was killed when a car being run on LPG caught fire here late last night. According to the police, Gurmeet Singh (22), was returning to his home in Phase XI in his Maruti car, when the vehicle caught fire due to leakage of LPG from the cylinder near the City Park around 1 a.m.

Women’s Day celebrations Hopes, concerns dominate discussions Chandigarh, March 8 Prevention of HIV/AIDS among women is a major challenge being faced by India. Women in full strength at Tagore Theatre where the UT State AIDS Control Society and the Director Social Welfare Office, UT, celebrated International Women’s Day on Tuesday in Chandigarh. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

• ‘With family’s support women can achieve highest potential’
• Women should be involved in decision-making

Passing Thru
Do you watch every cricket match that your husband plays ?
NOT every match but I love and prefer to watch the matches in which Virender is in form and expected to do well. He is the finest batsman and also in good form these days. In fact it is feast to the eyes of every cricket fan when he plays shots in style.

Aarti Sehwag, wife of cricketer Virender Sehwag. 

COMMUNITY

Rodrigues stresses use of IT to promote industry

Chandigarh, March 8 Calling for a structured policy to promote science and technology in the state, the Punjab Governor, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), stressed upon the use of information technology for the promotion of industry in the state. Delegates during an international conference on science and technology policy in Chandigarh on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Pervesh Chauhan

Missing man’s family alleges police indifference
Chandigarh, March 8
The family of a senior Audit Officer, Ram Das Lohia, who has been missing since February 26 from Mohali, has alleged that a Punjab Police constable at Ghanauli police post, Ropar, had not taken timely action in the case.

AIDS Control Society staff hold dharna
Chandigarh, March 8
Staff of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society today organised a dharna to protest against the non-removal of Dr G.S. Chahal, their Director, for his alleged involvement in the incidents of molestation.

She lends dignity to dead
Chandigarh, March 7
Stepping into the male bastion Amarjit Kaur Dhillon, 49 has taken up the task of lending dignity to the patients, who die in the obscure corridors of the PGI by cremating them.

Shiva devotees throng temples Panchkula, March 8 The festival of Mahashivratri, observed to celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati, was celebrated with religious fervour here today. Mahashivratri celebrated Devotees visit Shiv Mandir at Saketri on the occasion of Mahashivaratri on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

Readers write
Draw of HUDA plots
HUDA invited applications for the allotment of various plots in Sectors 2 and 6, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula. The scheme closed on April 30, 2004.Funds worth hundred of crores were collected by HUDA as earnest money about 10 months ago.

CRIME

8 held for assaulting Kajheri resident
Chandigarh, March 8
The local police has arrested eight persons accused of assaulting a resident of Kajheri village, last night.

2 booked for trespass, theft
Mohali, March 8
Two persons were booked by the police on a charge of trespassing and theft. According to the police, the two persons, Shabu and Nanah, both residents of Amb Sahib colony, stole an electric motor of 3 hp from a workshop of GREF, near Phase XI, on the intervening night of March 6 and March 7. Complaint in this regard had been lodged by Mr Manish Kumar Sharma. Police registered a case under Sections 380 and 457 of the IPC.

80-year-old man dies in mishap
Panchkula, March 8
An 80-year-old man was crushed to death when his Scooty (CH-03D-6607) was hit by a vehicle (CH-03 B-6185), near Maheshpur village today.

4 held for stealing bicycles
Kharar, March 8
Four persons were arrested by the police on the charge of theft.

BUSINESS

Lucky draw results
Chandigarh, March 8
The first mini draw of a promotional offer ‘Maruti Suzuki Dhoom’ was taken out today. About 10 wrist watches, 2 DVD Players and 1 CTV (21 inch) were given out at each of the three Maruti showrooms in city.

EDUCATION

Syndicate to take up Senators’ faculty option issue
Chandigarh, March 8
Panjab University Syndicate in its meeting scheduled for March 12 would deliberate upon the faculty option of the eight Senators, including the city Mayor, Ms Anu Chatrath, as these members have not opted for the faculties related to their core qualifications.

Hamara School School with futuristic mission Named after the eighth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sector-40C, Chandigarh, was started under the auspices of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Amritsar, in 1986. Principalspeak Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sector-40C, Chandigarh

Benefits for institute staff announced
Mohali, March 8
Mr Gurvinder Singh Bahra, Vice-Chairman, the Rayat Technology Campus yesterday announced that all staff members would receive 64 per cent DA and accelerated promotion like placement in the senior scale of lecturer or selection grade.

COURTS

CAT seeks Admn reply by April 29
Appointment of Lake Club GM
Chandigarh, March 8
The Chandigarh Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal yesterday issued notices to the Union of India and the Chandigarh Administration on a petition challenging the appointment of Dr Reet Mohinder Singh as the General Manager of the Lake Club.

LEISURE

Priyanka has ‘aitraaz’ over skin show in films
There was smoke because there was a fire. The fire was in the eyes of Priyanka Chopra and the smoke was created by her hosts who fired ‘smoke guns’ to make her ‘entry’ memorable. “I hate this (smoke). My mind went blank for a while,” she whispered as she tried to present a smiling face at a function to name her as brand ambassador of a telecom company here today.

Priyanka Chopra

Play propagates women’s cause
THE Skydreamz Productions, Mohali, staged a Punjabi play “Ravaitaan to Paar’ (Beyond Traditions)” at the Tagore Theatre on Tuesday. A maiden production of the newly formed cultural organisation was meant to mark the International Woman Day.

Nandita casts spell at charity show
‘Virtue is its own reward and to bevirtuous in actions and deeds is in the persona of Nandita Puri, an actress and a danseuse from Mumbai. For the versatile icon of Jaipur kathak tradition, dancing for a cause is a privilege as she performed for the victims of tsunami disaster.

Women celebrate creativity Kalagram served as a venue for a truly inspiring women’s day celebration today. With 17 women artists coming together on its campus, it was time for the onlookers to enjoy the spill of creative energy. In focus were the concerns of women, conveyed through a mélange of images, all vibrant and alive. Women artists paint at Kalagram on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

HEALTH

Medical camp held
Panchkula, March 8
The All-India Physically Challenged Association of India organised a medical camp where 219 patients, including 37 physically challenged persons, were examined by Dr Vikram Jaswal, himself disabled by polio. The patients were examined Kailashpati Mahadevpur temple here today.

ADMINISTRATION

Banners removed by MC
Mohali, March 8
To keep a check on unauthorised advertisements, the local municipal council removed a large number of banners put up at various points in the town by some companies.