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Hitchhiker caught after snatching Rs 10,000
Chandigarh, September 12 The police arrested Pawan Kumar, a resident of Sector 38, and booked him under Sections 379, 356 and 411 of the Indian penal Code on the basis of a complaint made by Bhadur, a resident of Dadu Majra. Police sources added that Pawan had been dismissed from the Haryana Police and had also been booked by the Chandigarh Police under the NDPS Act for possessing smack earlier. Giving details of the incident, the police sources said Bhadur, a junk dealer, was coming from Dadu Majra on the scooter in the afternoon when Pawan signalled him to stop near Sector 38 and requested for a ride up to Sector 22. Bhadur obliged and when they reached near Hotel Samrat in Sector 22, Pawan asked him to drop him there. There he tried to snatch Rs 10,000 from Bhadur following which the former raised the alarm and the police reached the spot.
OC
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Showers bring respite from heat
Chandigarh, September 12 The current spell of revived monsoon, when everyone had lost all hope, not only provided a respite from the sultry weather but also added nip in the air. The chill was experienced by city residents forcing most of them to predict an early outset of winter this year. Meteorological Department officials though termed it a far cry. Officials from the local department predicted that the city would receive more showers in the next 24 hours and the current rain had been an outcome of western disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining North Pakistan and an upper air North-South trough in Easterlies running from South-West Punjab to North Maharashtra. Till six in the evening, the city had witnessed 4mm of rainfall. “The date of monsoon withdrawal from Chandigarh last year was September 27 and currently the city is 11.3 mm short of its ‘quota’ of 781.2 mm of rain,” said a Meteorological Department official. He, however, added that if the rain continued for the next 24 hours the deficit in rainfall would be covered. Significant rainfall in the city was last experienced on August 21 and the monsoon had waned away after that. Meanwhile, no significant fall in temperature was recorded in the city but in Punjab, more so in Ludhiana the maximum temperature was recorded nine degrees below normal. In Patiala too the maximum temperature on Monday was 29.6 °C as compared to 34.3 °C on Sunday. In Chandigarh, schoolchildren and commuters were caught in the afternoon drizzle. A large number of cars lined up in front of schools as parents ferried their children back home. Coffee shops and tea vendors experienced a field day. A large number of people thronged the Sukhna lake and the Rock Garden.
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ISBT blast: 2 more held
Chandigarh, September 12 Sources in the operation cell of the Chandigarh Police said Satnam Singh (30) of Bahani village in Kapurthala district and Sukhwinder Singh of Singh Colony, Mithapur in Jalandhar district, were arrested on the basis of a disclosure made by Charanjit Singh. Both were arrested from their residences. Charanjit Singh (26), belonging to the ISYF (Rodhe) group, was taken in custody on September 9 from the Sector 43 bus stand on the grounds of causing the blast. Seven persons, including a woman, were injured in it. Charanjit Singh has been remanded in police custody till September 14. The sources added that Satnam Singh and Sukhwinder Singh were involved in the conspiracy. They allegedly helped Charanjit Singh in the preparation of the improvised explosive device (IED) and were also involved in the procurement of the explosive material. During preliminary interrogation, they told the police that they were motivated to join the conspiracy by Charanjit Singh and became part of the Khalistan Commando Force (KFC) (Panjwar) module. While Satnam Singh worked on a lathe machine in his village, Sukhwinder Singh was a carpenter. Police officers said Charanjit Singh travelled from his village on a scooter and parked it at the Jalandher bus stand. He boarded a bus for Chandigarh. The police has recovered the scooter from the Jalandher bus stand. The accused will be produced before a local court tomorrow for a police remand for further interrogation.
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Bansi Lal’s son challaned
Chandigarh, September 12 Mr Somveer, an MLA from Loharer in Bhiwani district, was driving his Scorpio when he was stopped at a special naka on the highway. The special drive of the traffic police seemed to have been carried out with focus on “VIP” vehicles. Thirtyfour vehicles were challaned. The police also removed unauthorised red lights atop some of the VIP vehicles.
TNS
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What kind of students do you hope to attract for your college? Those who wish to contribute to the community as doctors and want international exposure. Although we have no Indians in our college at the moment, we hope to take 100 students from here. Our experience is primarily with Western students who only want to make money. This attitude is very disappointing. In China, doctors do not make money they serve a larger good. What is your perception of India and its youngsters? The food and language is different but culturally, both countries are similar. The value system and the deep family ties are the same. I like the food here though; the naan and curries are delicious. What kind of facilities will you offer Indians? First, our medical courses are being altered to suit the Medical Council of India’s requirements so that students do not have a problem when they come back here to practice. We will also be hiring Indian teachers, who will serve as a conduit between the course and the students. We are also setting up an Indian food corner. — Gayatri Rajwade
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Lals of Haryana:
With Bhupinder Singh Hooda holding the reigns of power in Haryana, the joke doing the rounds of political circles was that the Lal dynasty has come to an end in the state. Haryana has seen many Lals indeed starting with Devi Lal, son Chautala included. There was Bansi Lal and then Bhajan Lal. But a wit in the Haryana secretariat commented, "Do not be mistaken that the rule of the Lals is over. Principal secretary Murari Lal Tayal continues to call the shots!" So Lals of the land continue to be at the helm of affairs one way or the other. Forest truths:
Prof R.K. Kohli from Panjab University, Chandigarh, last month attended the 22nd world congress on "Forests in the balance: linking tradition and technology" in Australia. The congress was organised by the International Union of Forestry Research Organisations, Austria. The organisation is the oldest, largest and the richest voluntary organisation in forestry in the world with over 15,000 member institutions from 120 countries committed to promoting international dialogue and collaborative research on forest science. Over 2,300 participants from the world attended the congress. Twenty-five Indian scientists attended the congress. Prof Kohli chaired a technical session on "Impact of exotic invasive plants on forest ecosystems" in which 18 presentations were made. Colours talk
What are the colours that one likes to wear when the heart and soul are in turmoil? Of course, sunny yellows, lush greens and pleasant pinks. This is just how Raja Jaikrishan has coloured his emotions in and exhibition of 35 water colours and ink paintings at the Panjab University Museum (September 13 to 17). A journalist by profession, Raja has kept the artist in him alive and over the past decade he has had several shows of collages and paintings in the city and in Delhi, which have made an impact. The recent paintings are a step forward for this artist who did not go to an art school. The present works were executed over two years and are collectively titled 'Fright Springs'. Can fright be garbed in such alluring hues? Well, seeing is believing! Novel way: Laughing matter:
The city chapter of the International Laughter Club has started taking the business of laughing so seriously that it is becoming a laughing matter. Dr. Madan Kataria, President of the Club, who was here for a laughter session in the Fragrance Garden said that India stood sixth in the world in happiness. He went onto suggest that the local leaders should organise at least two laughter picnics a year. Occasions like the Nerw Year's Eve should also be time for a laughter party. This was what the laughter yoga enthusiast said while demonstrating new exercises. Will the laughing dozens just ponder for a while on the thought that happiness is a state of mind and not something that can be achieved by forced guffaws? Contributed by:
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Encroachments Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 12 In fact with the threat of demolition of looming large over the houses in the city for violations, the house owners, a majority of them senior citizens, are in a tizzy. And what has compounded their problems is the fact that repeated representations to the authorities had fallen on deaf ears. It was on January 31 this year that the UT Administrator had reportedly assured at a meeting of the Advisory Council that “no demolition would be made till the final recommendations of the byelaws committee are finalised.” The local MP, Mr Pawan Bansal, has gone on record saying that since about 99% houses had violations, a one-time relaxation should be granted to the residents. Even though the sub-committee on byelaws submitted its report on June 7 reportedly allowing certain relaxations, the administration was fighting shy of issuing notification in this regard, alleged Mr Surinder Pal Chauhan, convener of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Jagriti Manch, who is spearheading the campaign against administration’s “pick-and-choose” policy. Another house owner, Mr Yash Pal, claimed that the need-based changes neither encroached upon the public land nor posed any hindrance to the public movement. The need-based changes in the marla houses had been made purely for personal reasons such as expansion of families, he added. Meanwhile, the residents’ campaign against the administration high-handedness got a shot in the arm with the Senior Citizen’s Welfare Association, Greater Chandigarh, writing to the UT Administrator to “regularise the need-based changes in marla houses as per byelaws.” On the other hand the residents have suggested that the administration should conduct a fresh survey to find out the total need-based changes. A uniform policy should be formulated to regularise the need-based changes, they added. It may be recalled that a majority of the houses, particularly the marla houses, have building violations and issue of their regularisation had been handing fire for the past over 50 years. There are allegations that the Estate Office officials had been harassing the residents on the pretext of building bye-laws violations and extorting money.
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Underage auto drivers a potential risk
Chandigarh, September 12 Taking a serious view of the matter, senior Chandigarh Police officers are gearing up to launch a special operation to rein in the under-aged autorickshaw drivers. A decision to this effect was taken during a high-level meeting held recently at the police headquarters. Giving details of the meeting, sources assert that special nakas will be set up by the men-in-white on all major roads cutting through the city, including the Madhya Marg and the Ambala highway. For the purpose of arresting their movements, additional emphasis will be laid on all the inner roads leading to the railway station, the sources add. The reason behind their concern is not hard to see. The sources claim that under-age autorickshaw drivers are directly or indirectly involved in a large number of mishaps that take place in the city after sunset. Quoting figures, the sources say that as many as 321 accidents were reported to the local police from January till July this year. Approximately one-third of the mishaps occurred between 7 pm and 5 am. In a substantial number of these late evening accidents, autorickshaw drivers were involved. Giving reasons behind their presence on the roads, the sources assert that the Chandigarh Police is not in a position to maintain effective vigil in the late hours as it is facing acute shortage of manpower. The sources add that a proposal regarding appointment of 1081 personnel for the police stations, and another, 450 for the traffic police, is still pending with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Elaborating, the sources add the proposal in this regard was first forwarded in 1995. It was again sent to the Ministry in February, 2004. But action has not been initiated. Taking advantage of the situation, the little ones take over the vehicles from their fathers, home in the evenings after a hard day’s work. In the process, the drivers ensure round-the-clock plying of vehicles and additional income for the family. If others are injured because of their actions, they are not bothered about it, the sources assert, adding that the under-aged drivers know little about the traffic rules and regulations. In fact they hardly know anything about the traffic signs dotting the roads. Besides this, their reflexes are poor. “In so many cases, the cops found that mishaps occurred because under-age drivers panicked and stepped on the accelerator pedal, instead of the brake pedal,” they conclude.
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JCBs not allowed for riverbed mining
Panchkula, September 12 The decision in this regard was taken recently, during a meeting of the Haryana Pollution Control Board (HPCB), held recently. All mining contractors in the district had been asked not to use the machinery for mining operations, till the Environment Management Plan (EMP) submitted by the contractors was approved by the authorities. The Environment department had taken this decision, saying that as of now, there were no norms for use of various mechanical devices in mining. “The use of machinery in river bed mining operations should be discontinued till the norms and conditions for use of various mechanical devices in mining are formulated...” reads a letter issued by the department. The orders had came in wake of the exception taken by the Estimates Committee of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, to mining operations being allowed in the six zones here, without accepting an EMP from the mining contractors. In 1996, the Apex Court had made it mandatory to have an EMP for carrying out mining activity, in order to ensure that there was no violation of environment. The EMP was to be formulated after Environment Impact Assessment Data was prepared. This data had to be prepared either before or after the monsoon season, because during the monsoon the pollution levels were down. The mining contract for six zones in Panchkula was allotted in May for a whopping Rs 35.46 crore. Almost three months after the contract was awarded, the Environment Department was yet to approve the EMP. But mining activity was going on, allegedly causing a threat to the fragile ecology of lower Shivalik ranges here. The mining contractors in the six zones of the district had reportedly submitted their EMP plan, but this had not been approved. The EMP include reclaiming/rehabilitating the mined out areas as per proposed EMP; planting trees during mining activity, over burden and other waste be dumped properly and using scientific techniques.
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Wars should be chronicled
“Blunders of 1965 war” published in this column on August 30 seems to have reminded some in the media of the 1965 war. This brings out a useful lesson that wars must be chronicled from the future generations.
In the western countries a number of books are written on each war. But in India, we hardly have any military writers. Though the 1999 Kargil war had been well covered, there is very little, if anything, on the 1947 war. Even the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars have not had much coverage in the shape of books. Since some of the veterans who participated in these wars are still around, they will do well to write books on these wars. General Palit has rendered a useful service to the Indian military history. There is no reason why some
others should not pass on their war experiences to the posterity in the form of books. It is not done:
Now see what all is done in the Army today. Major (now Lieut-Col) R.S. Rathore, silver medal winner in the Olympics, has been allowed to take part in TV advertisements on the condition that he will pay 5 per cent of his earnings to the Army for the development of sports. This is against norms of the Army. The officer must resign if he wants to take part in such activities. Moreover, the Army should not ask for a share from his earnings, as it does not go well with its traditions. Smart cards:
While serving personnel are required to have two smart cards i.e. one each for grocery stores and liquor, for the ex-servicemen/widows, there is only one card i.e. liquor cum grocery card. The dependents of serving personnel and civilians authorised to avail of canteen facilities are required to have a grocery card. Those not in possession of smart cards will not be allowed to draw stores or liquor from any CSD canteen when this system is introduced. It is seen that while most of the ex-servicemen and widows in the urban areas have got these cards made, in the rural areas a large number of entitled personnel have still not applied for these cards. They must do it immediately. For the youth:
— Pritam Bhullar
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Chandi Mandir functions cancelled
Chandigarh, September 12 The functions have been cancelled in view of the accident that occurred on September 8 at Kharo in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, in which 34 Army personnel went missing due to the collapse of Bailey bridge, a defence spokesman said here today. Only the Army ceremonial functions within the headquarters will be observed by the Army serving personnel, he said. Meanwhile, all Army personnel posted in Kinnaur area are being used to look for any survivors. The divers of the Army and the Navy have already been pressed into service.
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Award for city AIATF chief
Chandigarh, September 12 He was awarded by Mr K. P. S Gill, a former DGP of Punjab. Also present on the occasion were Brig
E.J. Kochekkan, Director, Military Affairs, Mr L. M. Singhvi, a former MP and former High Commissioner to the UK, and Mr M.S. Bitta, chairman of the front. The International Conference on Global Terrorism was held on the eve of the fourth anniversary of 9/11. It was attended by diplomats from the US, Russia, the UK and many other countries. A one-minute silence in memory of those killed during the attack was observed. Sir Michael Arthur, British High
Commissioner, was the chief guest at the conference.
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Insurance staff hold protest
Chandigarh, September 12 The unilateral move of the management and GIPSA, unethically /unwarranted linking of management agenda with wage negotiations was vehemently criticised by all office-bearers of the association. Speakers questioned the need for transfer and mobility policy, increase of working hours, reduction of casual leave, abolition of half day casual leave etc. Employees and officers from The New India Assurance Co. Ltd, United India Insurance Co Ltd, Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd and National Insurance Co. Ltd vowed to fight against the undue pressure, intimidation and biased attitude of the
GIPSA, management and public sector insurance companies by launching an intensive agitation programme.
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Admn officials to make presentation
Chandigarh, September 12
Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Chairperson, is heading a team which includes Mr Rahul Gandhi, Mr L.K.Advani, Mr Naveen Jindal, Mr R.K.Dhawan, Mr Ajit Jogi and Mr Sachin Pilot, besides others. Senior officials will make presentations before the committee highlighting the past achievements, the programmes underway and the future plans of action. The presentations will be made by Mr S.K.Sandhu, Finance Secretary, Mr Satish Chandra, Inspector General of Police, Mr P.S.Aujla, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Mr Vivek Attray, Director of the Information Technology and Mrs Renu Saighal, Chief Architect.
TNS
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SSC certificates issued
Chandigarh, September 12 According to a press note issued here today, the candidates, who do not receive their certificates by September 2, should contact the Regional Office of the SSC at Kendriya Sadan in Sector 9 here for the issue of duplicate certificates from September 22 to 23.
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Two teenaged brothers held for chain snatching
Chandigarh, September 12 The police arrested the accused, residents of Housing Board Colony in Dhanas village from the colony. It registered a case against them under Sections 380 and 356 of the Indian Penal Code. They were later sent to the juvenile custody. The accused had snatched a gold chain from a shop, Shiva Jewellers in Dadu Majra last night. Ms Kiran, the shop owner, had reported the incident to the police later. The police had recovered the snatched gold chain from their possession and the motor cycle they used in the crime. The police further said the accused, 15 and 13 year of age, are students and their father is working as a peon in a bank in Haryana. The accused had gone to the shop last night and asked Ms Kiran to show them gold chains. One of them asked her to show more chains like the one she was wearing. The gullible woman handed over her chain to them they allegedly sped away with the chain on their motor cycle.
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Old woman duped of jewellery
Panchkula, September 12 The old woman was taken in by them, and took them home. They asked her to remove her gold jewellery worth Rs 30, 000, and put it in a piece of cloth. The police said that the woman was hypnotised and did as told. The couple gave her the cloth later and said that she open it only after they leave. After some time when she opened the cloth, she found that her jewellery was missing and iron bangles were in the cloth. She then called her son, Mr Ramesh Dutta, who in turn informed the police. A case has been registered. Two cops suspended: An Assistant Sub Inspector of Police and a Constable have been placed under suspension, on charges of demanding bribe. Both of them, ASI Chander bhan and Constable Bhim Singh, were posted in the PCR vehicle at Kalka. It is alleged that the duo forced a truck carrying fodder to stop and demanded bribe from the truck driver, Nachattar Singh. The latter was carrying the fodder for a MLA in Himachal Pradesh, Mr Raghu Raj. When the MLA was informed of the incident, he called the DGP, Haryana, who in turn asked the Superintendent of Police, Mr Balbir Singh to take action.
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Mutual fund equity scheme launched
Chandigarh, September 12 Mr Sarb Preet Singh, Regional Head, north, retail Sales, said the company would invest at least 65 per cent of its corpus in equity and equity-related securities of the top 100 Indian companies as measured by market capitalisation ( stock market worth) and listed on stock exchanges. He said Punjab was among the high growth markets that registered more than 40 per cent growth last year. The new fund offer ( NFO), which opened on August 30, will remain open till September 28. The scheme offers dividend ( payout and reinvestment) and growth options. An investor can participate in the scheme with a minimum investment amount of Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. The issue price is Rs 10 per unit ( plus applicable entry ) during the New Fund Offer period.
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Mall profitable, claims management
Chandigarh, September 12 Reacting to a news item in the Chandigarh Tribune, “Mall bubble ready to burst”, Mr Girish Pande, Business and Operation Head, Fun Republic, said that business was booming in the mall. “It is impossible to get a shop in the mall. For any given shop, we have a waiting list of five parties, he said. He added that rentals in the mall were the cheapest, and hence business profitability was high for tenants. He also said that mall was a concept of the future and changing brand strategy was not bad business, but done in order to get more returns.
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SBoP branch in Mohali
Chandigarh, September 12 Mr Yogesh Aggarwal, Managing Director of the SBoP, said the turnover of the bank, which incidentally had been the first bank to implement core banking solution, had crossed Rs 40,000 crore. He said the bank had also taken up the initiative to form an outbound sales force for reaching out to the customers directly.
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