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Nipping beggary in bud
Businessman M.R. Ahuja runs 10 schools for
child beggars in Panchkula
Panchkula, July 24

Going to the temple to thank the Almighty for blessings was a daily routine with local businessman, Mansa Ram Ahuja. “I used to go there looking for peace, but was always troubled to see hordes of street urchins jostling with each other, seeking alms from devotees.

Child beggars and labourers study in a school run by Mr Mansa Ram Ahuja. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Kargil Commander recalls capture of Tiger Hill
Chandigarh, July 24
The capture of Tiger Hill during the 1999 Kargil conflict has been etched in the history of high altitude mountain warfare as an epic battle, emblazoned with daring assaults, selfless courage and resolute military planning. The battle was the turning point of the conflict.

J&K page: Stars of peace twinkle over Kargil

Landlord assaults tenant, 3 arrested
Chandigarh, July 24
A landlord and his two relatives were today arrested for rioting criminal trespass and other charges for allegedly assaulting his tenant and throwing his belongings out of his accommodation.

7 held for roaming aimlessly
Chandigarh, July 24
Two men and five women were arrested while they were roaming under suspicious circumstances near the BSNL telephone exchange in Mani Majra late last night.

City comedian to stage plays in US, Canada
Chandigarh, July 24
Amrit Pal Singh, a city-based comedian, is leaving for the USA tomorrow to stage a comedy play ‘Jinee Challe Eko Malle’. He also written the script of the play that will be directed by Jagtar Jaggi.

• Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

Bahl likely to continue as CTCC chief
Chandigarh, July 24
The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee president, Mr B.B. Bahl, is likely to retain the post of president amid hectic lobbying by supporters of the anti-Bahl camp to oust him, which continued in Delhi today.

Elephant calf dies under mysterious circumstances
Chhat Bir (Patiala), July 24
Conservation of wildlife in captivity suffered a setback as about three-month old Seema, a female elephant calf, died under mysterious circumstances at the Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park located in Chhat village on the Chandigarh-Patiala highway, about 20 km from Chandigarh, this afternoon.

Ex-sarpanch told to pay electricity dues of residents
Chandigarh, July 24
Residents of Deep Complex, Hallo Majra, have alleged that the electricity department was pressing upon a former sarpanch to pay the dues of the subscribers who had opted for the bulk supply connection scheme.

Smart cards for emigrant labour soon
Chandigarh, July 24
For the benefit and security of Indian workers undertaking employment abroad, the Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will soon introduce smart cards.

Bhattal backs Dullo
Mohali, July 24
The Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today stated that the Congress was united and there were no differences between the Punjab Chief Minister and the newly appointed Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee chief, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo.


Mohali Rotary team installed

Mohali, July 24 The installation ceremony of Rotary, SAS Nagar, was held at Punjab Bhawan, Sector-3, Chandigarh. Dr. B.S. Chandhok was installed as the Rotary President of the New Century along with his new team.
Former Governor of Punjab Lt-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber flanked by (left) former Chief Secretary, Punjab, Rajan Kashyap and (right) Rotary, SAS Nagar, president, B.S. Chandok, during the installation ceremony in Chandigarh on Saturday.

Monsoon queen contest on Aug 20
Chandigarh, June 24
Monsoon Queen Contest 2005 will be organised at the Shivalik Officers Institute (SOI) in Chandimandir on August 20. The event will comprise several rounds of fashion show and fillers by professional artistes.

Plantation drive launched
Panchkula, July 24
A sapling plantation drive was launched by the Rotary Club, Panchkula, today in order to keep up with its promise to make the city green.

Man found dead
Chandigarh, July 24
A 40-year-old man was found dead this evening under mysterious circumstances outside a tavern near Housing Board Chowk in Mani Majra.

Sohan Singh Hans dead
Zirakpur, July 24
Eminent novelist, writer and reporter with Punjabi Tribune Sohan Singh Hans, died due to the prolonged illness at his residence in Preet Nagar Colony in Zirakpur this evening.

Tributes paid to Chandra Shekhar Azad
Chandigarh, July 24
Tributes were paid to legendary revolutionary Chandra Shekar Azad at a function organised by the Purvanchal Vikas Mahasangh here today.

Police holds verification camps
Chandigarh, July 24
The Chandigarh police today organised special camps for the verification of domestic help in East Sub-division.

Readers write
Follow rules, avoid accidents
I have been commuting from Panchkula to Chandigarh for the past 15 years. Rarely a day passes without sighting or hearing about an accident. Accidents could be averted if we follow rules and etiquettes while driving. People should get licence by honestly passing the driving test.

CRIME

Woman’s chain snatched
Chandigarh, July 24 Despite recent anti-snatching drives of the police, three incidents of snatching have been reported in the city in the past 24 hours.

Garments shop burgled
Panchkula, July 24
Thieves struck at a readymade garments showroom in Sector 8 market here and decamped with goods and cash worth lakhs of rupees, late last night. The thieves entered the showroom by breaking open a shutter in its backyard.

EDUCATION

EDUSAT system installed at PU Chandigarh, July 24 A satellite interactive terminal was installed at Academic Staff College, Panjab University, here yesterday. It established the university’s link with the UGC-CEC. Vice-Chancellor K.N. Pathak interacted with Prof Nigavekar through the satellite link. Vice-Chancellor K.N. Pathak talks to Prof Nigavekar via satellite at the launch of EDUSAT system at Panjab University on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Vivekanand institute cultural fest
Chandigarh, July 24
Swami Vivekanand Institute of Engineering and Technology organised a cultural festival “NOOR-2005” at Government Polytechnic College for Women, Sector 10, here today.

Three CIIS nurses get scholarships Mohali, July 24 The Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and the Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand in India, Ms Heather Ward, gave scholarships to nursing students of the Canadian Institute of International Studies here today.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and First Secretary (Immigration), New Zealand, Simon Smith (extreme left) at the Canadian Institute of International Studies.

Electronic microscope lying unused

Chandigarh, July 24 A transmission electronic microscope worth Rs 90 lakh has been lying outside the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility Department, Panjab University, for more than three and a half months. Transmission electronic microscope lying outside the Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility Department, Panjab University. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Clubs launched in Sacred Heart
Chandigarh, July 24
With a view to identifying students with creativity and encouraging innovative ideas among them in Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sector 26, here, under the guidance of its principal, Sister Sebastina, inaugurated various clubs for students.

B. Pharmacy counselling
Chandigarh, July 24 The counselling for the seats in reserved and general categories for B. Pharmacy and BSc (H.S.) (first year) for the session 2005-2006 has been held in the Department of Biotechno-logy.

Seminar on value education
Chandigarh, July 24
A seminar on “Value education for self-empowerment” for teachers and principals of various schools was organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya at Rajyoga Bhavan, Sector 33 here today.

CULTURE

Patar’s poetry deals with contemporary concerns
Chandigarh, July 24
Female foeticide, mass exodus by Punjabi youth to the West, onslaught of globalisation on the Punjabi language and culture as well as environmental degradation are some of contemporary concerns of the land that prominent Punjabi poet is voicing poignantly in his recent poems. Speaking of his poetry in the context of Punjab, Surjit Patar said: " At least 50 per cent of my poetry is concerned with Punjab and the other 50 per cent can be called universal."
Surjit Patar

Lamenting dearth of good literature for kids
“Art is an intellectual act and behind all artistic or literary creations there exists an emotional urge to express in some form or the other — the vaguely felt or perceived experiences during different phases of life,” observed Dr Darshan Aashat, winner of Rs 1 lakh State Shiromani Bal Sahit Lekhak Award-2005.                     Dr Darshan Aashat

South cinema at Alliance Francaise
Chandigarh, July 24
Alliance Francaise Chandigarh and the Embassy of France will host a festival of films in the city from July 25. Titled “The South of Cinema”, the festival will feature films made by top film creators in the developing world.

HEALTH

Health centre needs clean-up
Chandigarh, July 24
Work on the rural health training centre, Palsora, has come to a virtual standstill although the contractor has received 75 per cent of his security deposit given after completion of a building nearly an year back.

Seminar on medical education
Mohali, July 24
More than 150 doctors of the region attended a continued medical education seminar held at the Indian Medical Association Complex, Chandigarh. Fortis Hospital, doctors Ambuj Chaudhary, Arvind Sahni, Jagmohan S. Varma addressed the members of IMA, Chandigarh.

Blood donated
Chandigarh, July 24
A voluntary blood donation camp in aid of thalassaemic patients was organised at a hotel in Sector 35 here today. More than 100 units of blood were collected which was managed by a team of doctors from the Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGI. Leading income tax lawyer Ravinder Krishan was the chief guest on the occasion.

SPORTS

Himal, Pallak win chess titles

Chandigarh, July 24 Himal Gusain and Pallak Grewal emerged winners in under-20 and under-14 category, respectively, in the two-day amateur chess meet - Anand ki khoj - which concluded at St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, here today. A participant makes his move at ‘Anand Ki Khoj’ Horlicks amateur chess tournament 2005 at St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Shishu Niketan lifts karate trophy
Chandigarh, July 24
Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22, won the overall winners trophy in the Open Chandigarh State Karate Championship 2005 which concluded at Skating Rink, Sector 10, here today.

Schools seek special sports buses
Chandigarh, July 24
Due to lack of convenient transport system, most sports trainees, especially small children, face great problem in reaching a particular sports training centre on a regular basis.

Making players mentally fit
Chandigarh, July 24
Indian hockey team probables, who are attending a 20-day camp at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, are not only sharpening their technical skills but also learning the techniques of meditation and ways to achieve concentration, relaxation and positive and firm thinking.

Vibhuti hits target
Chandigarh, July 24
Vibhuti Khullar, an upcoming tennis player, emerged winner in target hitting and consistency check in the girls under-10 category in “Tennis Fun Festival” which was organised at the tennis stadium, Sector 10, here today.