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Village mourns its ‘star son’
Sunil Dutt’s death big loss to country,
Hisar by-election: foes turn friends
I joined politics to realise husband’s dreams, says Savitri
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Kiran Chaudhry’s campaign lacks poll din
New subjects added to art teachers’ training course
Municipal areas to have shopping malls
RJD leader on fast against cheating
Man pushes sister-in-law into well
Armed robbers strike at UP border, shoot one
Engg student killed in mishap
Failed student kills self
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Army School students get over 90 pc
5 quarries auctioned
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Village mourns its ‘star son’
Mandoli (Yamunanagar), May 25 The villagers, who shared a bitter-sweet relationship with him, were shocked on hearing the news of his death. They loved him because he was their “star son”, but at the same time his not doing much for the village after joining politics had belied some of their expectations. Nonetheless, they all agreed on one thing - Sunil Dutt used to go out of the way to help people from his village, in fact for anyone from the Yamunanagar district. Several people managed to get their respective works done or even get employment just by telling him that they hailed from Yamunanagar. In 1948, Sunil Dutt’s family had come to this village as the government had allotted 14 acres to the family. The land is cultivated by his younger brother, Mr Som Dutt. In fact Mr Som Dutt had left for Mumbai only yesterday. The only sister of Sunil Dutt, Ms Rani, is married in Khanpur Rajputana village in Ambala district. A lock could be seen on the front door of the ancestral house of the actor-turned-politician today. “They had shifted to Mumbai and used to visit here rarely”, said a villager. Sunil Dutt had visited the village last time on May 6, 2004 while campaigning for Mr Naveen Jindal who was contesting the Lok Sabha election from Ambala seat. Last year, his actor son Sanjay Dutt had paid a brief visit to the village. The villagers owe a lot to him. After the death of his mother, Kulwanti Devi, he constructed a road connecting the village to the Yamunanagar- Sharanpur national highway. Using his influence, he got the village school elevated to the Senior Secondary level. His wife, Nargis had died in Mumbai but he preferred to perform her last rites here. Samadhis of his wife and mother stand side by side near the village along the Yamuna river. He had also sent idols of Radha and Krishna for the village temple from Mumbai. This is not all, he had shot his film ‘‘Daku aur Jawan’’ in Mandoli village. When the film was released, he had even organised free shows in a theatre in Yamunanagar for the villagers. He shared a special bond with the elderly in the village. “Sunil used to regard me as his mother”, said Ms Maya Devi. Another elderly woman, Ms Satya Sharma said he used to treat her as a sister and used to visit her house whenever he was in the village. Remembering the time spent with Dutt, his cousin Mr Ashok Mohan said once Sunil Dutt had visited the village along with his two daughters, Priya and Namrata and son Sanjay Dutt. “We had got a photo done that time and that photo is still hanging in my room”. Another relative, Mr Bal Krishan Mohan informed that Sunil Dutt was working in the Indian Army when the family shifted here. His original name was Balraj and the villagers used to call him Ballu Fauji. Sunil Dutt shifted to Mumbai in 1955 and was first seen in a Hindi film ‘‘Railway Platform’’. He acted in more than 80 films, including ‘‘Mother India’’, ‘‘Reshma aur Shera’’ and ‘‘Dard Ka Rishta’’. He directed six movies and produced eight Hindi movies. |
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Sunil Dutt’s death big loss to country, says Kidwai
Chandigarh, May 25 In his message, Mr Kidwai said that the death of Sunil Dutt was a big loss to the country, especially to the people of Haryana as he belonged to Yamunanagar. Sunil Dutt came into prominence in politics due to his reputation for honesty and integrity as well as his deep commitment to the common man, the Governor said. As a Member of Parliament and Union Cabinet Minister, Sunil Dutt was a strong advocate of peace between India and Pakistan, he further stated. Meanwhile, the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee flew the party flag at half-mast today as a mark of respect to Sunil Dutt. Paying tributes, PCC leaders Bhajan Lal and Randeep Singh Surjewala said that Sunil Dutt had earned a high position in the film and political world and the void created by his death would be difficult to fill. |
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Hisar by-election: foes turn friends
Hisar, May 25 For instance, former minister Hari Singh Saini, who was the main contestant against the late Congress nominee Om Prakash Jindal in the recent Assembly election, has decided to remain out of the fray as a sympathetic gesture in view of the circumstances in which Jindal’s wife Savitri Devi is contesting the poll as the Congress candidate. Mr Saini maintains that he had been approached by senior BJP leaders, who offered him party ticket for the by-election. He, however, declined the offer. Not only this, he is even considering to extend support to the Jindal camp. On the other hand, Dr Anant Ram Barwala, for whom the late Om Prakash Jindal, tried to get Congress ticket, is backing Dr Rajender Malik, who is contesting against Ms Savitri Devi Jindal as an Independent candidate. Dr Barwala had not been able to get the Congress ticket despite the efforts of the late Jindal, following which he contested the poll as an Independent. He, however, lost the election to Congress candidate Randhir Singh. The political opponents of the Jindal camp had also initiated a move to form a united front and filed a common candidate against Ms Jindal. But the unity move tapered off due to the lack of consensus on a common candidate. As a result, not one, but 11 candidates are in the fray against the Congress nominee. Interestingly, Dr Malik, who claims to be the candidate of the united front, had been claiming the support of several other Independent candidates. However, the other Independents assert that they are very much in the fray for the seat. All Independent contenders are, however, unanimous on the stance that by bowing out of the contest, the opposition parties, including the INLD and the BJP, have not exhibited their sympathy, but cowardice. |
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I joined politics to realise husband’s dreams, says Savitri
Hisar, May 25 She was talking to newsmen soon after the inauguration of her election office here yesterday. Ms Jindal, who was married while she was studying in Class XII, said her top priority would be to complete the unfinished tasks left behind by her husband. She thanked the residents of the city for their overwhelming support and affection and hoped that they would continue to shower their blessings on the family. “Mr Jindal wanted to make Hisar a dream city. The people gave him the chance to implement his plans for the betterment of the city, but his sudden demise was a big setback. I have been compelled by the circumstances to contest the poll and will make sincere efforts for the development of the city,” she maintained. Ms Jindal’s son and Congress MP from Kurukshetra, Mr Naveen Jindal, said they would contest this election seriously, but in a simple manner. |
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Kiran Chaudhry’s campaign lacks poll din
Tosham, May 25 Scorching heat and occasional sandstorms notwithstanding, Ms Chaudhry addresses about 20 meetings in different villages daily. Dressed in white kurta-salwar and her head covered by a white dupatta, she is drawing big crowds. The seasoned campaign managers who had over decades ran the campaigns for her late husband Surinder Singh are at work once again. Ms Chaudhry leaves her house around 6 in the morning and the meetings continue for the next 12 hours. She is accompanied mostly by her daughter Shruti and at times her son-in-law Anurabh. Congress legislators from neighbouring constituencies are lending a helping hand too. A notable feature of the campaign is that she is accepting neither currency note garlands nor normal garlands. Her managers say while normal garlands are not being accepted because of the recent death of her husband in a chopper crash, she is averse to accepting currency note garlands from the beginning. Another striking aspect is the participation of women in her meetings. While the elderly make it a point to bless her, the younger rural women greet her with folded hands. Some of the young girls who study in colleges in nearby towns but are now home on vacation shake hands with her and Shruti. The campaign understandably lacks the din usually associated with election meetings because of the circumstances which forced the byelection. No songs are played at the meetings. Usually a party legislator introduces her and Ms Chaudhry begins her address. She is not making any tall promises except that she is there to complete the tasks left unfinished by her late husband. “I was active in Delhi political circles for two decades. But I am now here for good because the people of Tosham wanted me to do so. I will always strive to reach out to all of you”, she repeats in every meeting. Her young daughter Shruti does not address every meeting, yet she pitches in in some of them that because of pressure from her father’s supporters. She mostly tells them that she managed to convince her mother to shift to Tosham so that the workers were not disappointed. She promises to help her mother in looking after the constituency. However, Anurabh when present does not address any meetings. None of the political parties have put up candidates from the constituency as a mark of respect to the late Surinder Singh though there are some Independents in the field. Their presence, is however, posing no challenge to the Congress nominee. There is a general expectation in the constituency that after her election, Ms Chaudhry will be elevated as a minister as she is a senior Congress leader and a former Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. The voters are also pleased that like Surinder Singh she is a well-educated leader who will look after their interests. |
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New subjects added to art teachers’ training course
Karnal, May 25 Sources in the department revealed that apart from adding the new subjects of computer awareness and graphics, graphic print making, teaching skill in teaching of Hindi, English and Punjabi would also be improved. It is for the first time that teachers will have an option to improve their skill in any of these three languages. The department has also widened the scope of scheme of examination for teachers. Now the candidates, who fail in not more than four subjects or units, would be allowed to re-appear in the supplementary as well as the main examinations, provided the candidate got 40 per cent marks in four subjects and minimum 20 per cent marks in the other four subjects. Also, not more than one per cent grace marks of the total marks of all subjects would be awarded by the Controller Examinations provided the aggregate score of a student did not fall below 40 per cent. Admissions to the two-year diploma in Art and Craft Teachers’ Training will be held from July 7 to July 15. The dates of examinations has also been revised and these will be conducted from May 28 to June 17 whereas earlier the admissions used to be made in the month of October and examinations were held in November. As against the academic qualification of Matriculation required for admission to the course earlier, it would now be plus II with minimum 50 per cent marks. Those desirous of seeking admission should have drawing as a compulsory subject in matriculation or commercial art, drawing or painting in plus II from a recognised institution. Other qualifications required for admission to this course are painting course from ITI or plus II with fine arts or with visual art under the vocational scheme from a recognised institution. Also, the candidate would be required to have completed graduation or post-graduation fine arts from a recognised institute or university. The department has made provisions for
giving weightage to students with higher qualification in the form of three per cent for graduate in any discipline and of
five per cent for post-graduates. |
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Municipal areas to have shopping malls
Chandigarh, May 25 Besides regulating the haphazard growth of small shops, this will also be a good source of revenue for the municipalities, a statement issued here said. Zoning plans would be prepared for each site separately keeping in view its location, shape and size. The government has already approved and notified the rates of licence fee, scrutiny fee, conversion charges, service charges and development charges for all towns in the state. Permission for the construction of shopping malls in the municipal areas would only be given if the land proposed to be used for such construction is located on a commercial street or area. The area for the proposed mall should not be less than half an acre. The site would not be sub divided into plots. The types of building permitted would be shopping mall with shops or showrooms, commercial offices, banks, multiplex hotels, professional establishments and other places of public assembly like theatres, conference halls, clubs, dramatic clubs, health clubs, fitness centres and call centres. |
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RJD leader on fast against cheating
Hisar, May 25 Mr Bagoria had filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate for the byelection to the Hisar Assembly seat. He, however, alleged that when he went to get his election symbol, the Retuning Officer got his signatures on the withdrawal form. On the other hand, Mr Dharampal Singh Yadav, General Manager, Haryana Roadways, Hisar, who is the Returning Officer for the byelection, has refuted these allegations. Mr Yadav maintained that Mr Bagoria himself got the withdrawal form from his office and submitted the same with him on May 19. He said Mr Bagoria was given a slip on withdrawing his candidature which bore his (Bagoria’s) signatures. Mr Yadav asserted that the candidate was literate and could read the form given to him. Moreover, he had submitted the form in presence of several other candidates. Meanwhile, some supporters of Mr Bagoria tried to block a road here today, but were prevented by the police from doing so. An inquiry has been sought into the matter and the poll observer appointed by the Election Commission has sent his report in this regard. |
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Man pushes sister-in-law into well
Rewari, May 25 Soon afterwards Prem Devi, with the assistance of the villagers, was taken out of the well but she had died by then. It is leant that when Ashok Yadav’s reported addiction to liquor made life miserable for his wife, she left Nimoth and went to her parental house. Ashok Yadav went there to bring back his wife and children. However, his in-laws’ insistence on Ashok Yadav mending his ways as a pre-condition disheartened him. He then sought his brother’s assistance in the matter. But when he, too, urged him to mend his ways to save his marriage, Ashok Yadav became despondent and made it known that he was going to end his life by jumping into the well. When Prem Devi tried to prevent him from taking such an extreme step, Ashok Yadav reportedly pushed her into the well abruptly. The Khol police, has registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the IPC, and arrested Ashok Yadav. |
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Armed robbers strike at UP border, shoot one
Jalalpur Pradham (Panipat), May 25 The robbers shot at the driver of a truck, Mohsin, who had been admitted to Bhim Sen Sachar Hospital for treatment. According to the information, the robbers looted Rs 28,000 at gunpoint from the drivers and the cleaners of five different vehicles. The robbers reportedly looted Rs 10,000 from Mohsin and cleaner Abbas of a truck (UMU 4743) and Rs 4,000 from driver Taskin, and cleaner Hetram of another truck (UP-15-Q-9936). Both the trucks were going to Uttar Pradesh from Bhiwani. The robbers shot at Mohsin when he took some time to give them the cash. They looted Rs 11,000 from the driver of a Canter coming to Amroha, Haryana, from Uttar Pradesh and Rs 1,500 from Randhir of another Canter. He was going to Uttar Pradesh from Haryana. The robbers did not spare the owner of a mini truck who was taking an ailing child to a
Panipat hospital. They robbed him of Rs 1,500. Meanwhile, some of passers-by said that the police patrol party was reportedly sleeping at a petrol station at that time. However, the
robbers fled. Later, the DSPs of Samalkaha and the town also reached the spot. Subsequently,
Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar also visited the spot. A dog squad was also
called. |
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Engg student killed in mishap
Sonepat, May 25 It is learnt that the deceased was identified as Shaifli of Rohini (Delhi) whereas the seriously injured student was identified as Ankush Jain of Aligarh. Both were studying at the B.M. Institute of Engineering and Technology at Raipur village in the district. The injured student was removed to the local Civil Hospital where he was referred to the PGIMS, Rohtak, in a serious condition. A case has been registered. In another incident, Sonu, a five-year-old boy, was killed on the spot when he was trapped under a tractor-trolley on the Gohana-Mahmoodpur road, about 50 km from here, today. |
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Failed student kills self
Panipat, May 25 According to his family members, he was under depression since the declaration of the results, but they had never thought he would take the extreme step of ending his life. The adolescent shot himself dead near a mini canal falling under the jurisdiction of Model Town police station. He was reportedly studying in a Chandigarh school. According to police sources, he shot himself dead with the revolver that he had reportedly stolen from his house on May 10 during his sister’s marriage. The revolver belonged to one of his relatives. His relatives had informed the police about the theft of the revolver but it could not be known that he had stolen the revolver. It was known only today when he shot himself dead. |
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Army School students get over 90 pc
Ambala, May 25 In Kendriya Vidyalaya No1, out of 147 students who took the exam, only two students failed. Biswajit stood first in the school with 87.6 per cent, In Ambala Public School, Ambala City, out of 20 students who took the exam, two students got more than 90 per cent. The principal said Anupam got 90.6 per cent while Guneet Kaur got 90.2 per cents. In Army School, the overall pass percentage is 99.5 per cent, Of the 208 students who appeared in the exam, 12 obtained over 90 per cent.
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5 quarries auctioned
Chandigarh, May 25 The auction was conducted by a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad, Mrs Neerja Shekhar. Although the quarries were situtated at a distance of 50 km from the crusher zone of Faridabad and Gurgaon, there was an increase of about 150 per cent over the reserve price.
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Meningitis case in Panipat
Panipat, May 25 Meanwhile, confirming the meningitis case, the district health authorities said all preventive measures to check the spread of the disease had been taken and there was no need to panic. |
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New Panipat MC chief
Panipat, May 25 Vinod Wadhera got 24 votes, whereas Rohtas Sharma polled 17 votes. |
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