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Protect city’s unique character: Centre
New Delhi, September 26
The Centre today asked the Chandigarh Administration to ensure that no further encroachments took place in the city, to protect its unique character, even as it assured to consider extending the maximum possible compensation for acquired land in Mani Majra.

Centre’s no to ‘general exemption’ of houses beyond ‘lal dora’
New Delhi, September 26
The Centre is opposed to any “general exemption” of houses constructed beyond “lal dora” in Chandigarh from acquisition as it would lead to haphazard growth, which will impede planning and general development of the city.

Move on ‘lal dora’ welcomed
Chandigarh, September 26
The recommendation of the Home Minister’s Advisory Committee not to uproot the residents living outside the lal dora of villages has been welcomed by the members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing the residents living outside the ‘lal dora’ of UT villages.

Gang behind 14 killings busted Mohali, September 26 In a major breakthrough, the Kharar police has busted the gang responsible for the brutal killing of 14 persons in Punjab and Haryana in the past one year. The 11-member gang belongs to the nomadic Kalandar tribe of Uttar Pradesh. Gang members of the Kalandar tribe arrested by the Kharar police in Mohali on Monday. — Tribune photo by Parvesh Chauhan

Violence up, courtesy macho pride, liquor
Chandigarh, September 26
Grilled sandwich packed with cheese, tomato, violence and thrill — if you have not savoured it all, just drive down to your favourite youth haunt late in the evening. Chances are that you will get to roll action on the tongue absolutely free, along with your preferred blend of cold coffee and ice-cream. For, incidents of violence are on the rise in joints frequented by youngsters all over the city.

PU examinees a harried lot yet again
Chandigarh, September 26
It was harassment time for students at the Panjab University examination branch once again today. While the compartment examination for postgraduate and graduate classes begin tomorrow, the university has yet to declare the reevaluation result of many candidates.

4 held guilty in Sachin kidnap case
Panchkula, September 26
The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr J.R. Chauhan, today held four persons guilty in the Sachin Garg kidnapping case. Sachin, son of a top industrialist and philanthropist here, Mr Mahesh Garg, was kidnapped in April 2003 and released after a ransom of Rs 1 crore was paid by his family.

Canadian move on immigration welcomed
Mohali, September 26
The news that the Canadian Government plans to boost the immigration number up to 1,00,000 each year has came as refreshing relief. The new plan would be unveiled next month, which means Canada would open its doors to 320,000 immigrants a year by the time the plan was fully implemented in five years.

Chandigarh Calling
Driving dangerously
The young are reckless and relish in breaking rules, even those of road safety. This leads more often than to disaster and we have enough road accidents to prove this point every day. But the rides to disaster continue in spite of that. Here we have a picture of a private mini bus of Haryana all set to leave the city flouting all rules of road safety.

• Passing Thru

COMMUNITY

‘Minor’ girl’s father approaches police against ‘in-laws’
Chandigarh, September 26
For two “minors in love” it has been nothing short of a harrowing experience. In spite of a seven-month-pregnant girl’s desire to live with her “husband”, her father today approached the Chandigarh’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for registration of a case of rape and kidnapping against the “groom” and his family.

Training policy puts IAF in difficult spot
Chandigarh, September 26
Introduction of a “Just-in-Time-Training” policy for air force technicians has resulted in a piquant situation. Operational airbases and technical establishments are putting up with an increasing number of junior-level technicians who are not fully qualified and trained to work on aircraft.

Sat Mahajan not averse to gubernatorial post
Chandigarh, September 26
Mr Sat Mahajan, Himachal Minister for Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, said here today that he was not averse to accepting a gubernatorial post.

Cong infighting far from over in MC
Panchkula, September 26
The political turmoil within the two factions of the Congress in the Municipal Council House is far from over.

A few ‘liberated’ girls from Leh Chandigarh, September 26 For the 30 students — all girls — of the Women’s Empowerment Centre (WEC), Nimu (Leh), who visited Delhi, Jaipur and Chandigarh, enlightenment has meant an opening up of new vistas. Students of the Women's Empowerment Centre from Nimu, Leh, at the Rock Garden in Chandigarh.

Market closed in protest after shopkeepers beaten up
Mohali, September 26
The Phase X market was closed here today in protest against the alleged beating up of shopkeepers by a tenant.

Tree plantation drive initiated
Mohali, September 26
A tree plantation drive was initiated by the Senior Associate Editor of The Tribune, Mr A.J. Philip, on the banks of the Maharaja Ajj Sarovar in Kharar yesterday.

Haryana Roadways workers to ignore strike call
Panchkula, September 26
The Haryana Roadways Workers Union has decided not to participate in the strike call given by INTUC for September 29.

CRIME

2 held for bid to extort Rs 2 lakh from widow
Mohali, September 26
Two persons were attested today on a charge of attempting to extort money from a widow living here.

Former Sarpanch booked
Panchkula, September 26
A former Sarpanch of Kanderwala village in Raipur Rani block has been booked by the police on charges of embezzling money meant for the development works in the village.

Motor cycle stolen
Chandigarh, September 26
The theft of a motor cycle from the Panjab University campus was reported to the police, while two persons were taken into custody on the allegation of gambling at public places during the past 24 hours.

BUSINESS

Blueprint on UT tourism policy released Chandigarh, September 26 Chandigarh has the potential to become a tourist destination, both for the domestic and international visitors, in view of its natural and man-made attractions that range from its unique architecture to the peaceful environs of its forests.
A student speaks at a function to mark the release of a strategic blueprint on the tourism policy in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

EDUCATION

The Institute of Microbial Technology today celebrated the 64th Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) foundation day. A number of events were organised to mark the event. A lecture was delivered by Dr Kanury V.S. Rao, Head, Immunology Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, at IMTECH, Chandigarh. Prof Harsh Vardhan, a former Director of the CSIO, speaks on the occasion of the CSIR foundation day in Chandigarh on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

19 seats vacant at PEC
Chandigarh, September 26
It is almost criminal that a handful of seats in one of the best engineering institutions, Punjab Engineering College (PEC), are going vacant in various courses. This despite the fact that PEC seats are in great demand and interested students are keeping track of every seat falling vacant in this deemed university.

PEC meeting on Sept 30
Chandigarh, September 26
The eighth Board of Governors’ (BoG) meeting of Punjab Engineering College will be held on September 30. The first meeting of the finance committee will be held on September 29. The BoG will discuss the proceedings of the finance meeting.

Govt School-24 wins kids’ contest
Chandigarh, September 26
A nursery rhymes competition marked the first day of the week-long state-level children’s competition which began at the State Institute of Education, Sector 32, here today. A total of 10 schools participated in urban category, 14 in the rural category and 15 in the model category.

Painting contest by Child Welfare Council
Mohali, September 26
The Child Welfare Council, Punjab, organised a division-level painting competition at the Bal Bhavan, Phase IV, here today. Children from Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur and Nawanshahr participated in the competition.

School board panel undecided on book purchase
Mohali, September 26
The Paper Purchase Committee of the Punjab School Education Board failed to take any decision regarding the purchase of paper for textbooks at a meeting held here today.

Declamation contest on tourism
Chandigarh, September 26
As part of the World Tourism Day celebrations, the Tourism Promotion Society of Chandigarh organised a declamation contest at the Chitkara School of Hospitality on the “Role of infrastructure in promotion of tourism. Mr Man Mohan Singh, president of the society, presided over the function.

Gurmandar wins declamation on travel

Chandigarh, September 26 The Food Craft Institute, Chandigarh, organised a declamation contest on ‘Travel and transport: propelling tourism industry dynamics’ in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Society of Chandigarh today. From left: Manish Bhola, Sanjay Rautela, Ashish Chand and Gurmandar Kaur, winners of a debate on ‘Travel and transport: propelling industry dynamics’ at Food Craft Institute in Sector 42, Chandigarh, on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Website on essays launched
Chandigarh, September 26
RedAlkemi, a Chandigarh-headquartered web development and online marketing company, today announced the launch of a unique website - www.thinkessay.com . The brainchild of an 18-year-old Indian student based in the US, Aseem Badshah, the objective of the website is to create a community where students can help other students with their academic work.

COURTS

‘Pro-Khalistan’ slogans during Beant trial
Hawara handed over cash, clothes
Chandigarh, September 26
High drama was witnessed at the high-security Burail Jail here today during the Beant Singh assassination trial with one of the accused shouting “pro-Khalistan” slogans and admitting to his role in the killing of the former Punjab Chief Minister.

Non-bailable warrants against Major Singla’s husband
Chandigarh, September 26
A local court has issued non-bailable warrants against Mr Ashish Pathak, husband of Major Dimple Singla, for failing to appear as a witness before the Court of Inquiry (COI) investigating into charges that the officer had demanded illegal gratification to influence a military trial.

Rent Act case adjourned in Supreme Court
Chandigarh, September 26
The Supreme Court today adjourned the Rent Act notification case for four weeks in view of the failure of the Chandigarh Administration to file a reply.

LEISURE

Mastering the art of living
Appearances are deceptive it is said and an early morning chat with Mumbai-based Vikram Hazra proved it. It would have been easy to place the young and suave Vikram (despite his crisp white kurta-pyjama) in a boardroom meeting rather than in a satsang singing bhajans and as a spiritual guide to people.

Chitre on talent hunt for Sagar Films
THE region, particularly the City Beautiful, can boast of talent, both in performing and visual arts, said Shailendra Chitre, the creative head of Mumbai-based Ramanand Sagar Films. He is in the city to hunt for promising actors. Ramanand Sagar’s third generation — Amit Sagar and Shakti Sagar — is in the process of making a film on the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he says.

Functions to mark World Tourism Day
Various programmes will be organised across the city on the occasion of World Tourism Day tomorrow. These will include morning raga at Sukhna Lake and Fragrance Garden at 6 am.

• ‘Page 3’ TV premiere on Friday

SPORTS

No. 1 Chandigarh Naval NCC cadets shine Chandigarh, September 26 Girl cadets from No. 1 Chandigarh Naval NCC bagged the first position in boat-pulling competition, while boys bagged the top positions in firing, drill, semaphore and ship modelling during the Pre Nau-Sainik Camp held at the Air Force Station High Grounds, Chandigarh. NCC Naval Wing cadets undertake water activities at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.

No badminton coach in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, September 26
At present, there is no badminton coach in the city. For the city-based sports lovers, especially the badminton players, there is a bad news, that they might not get the services of a badminton coach for another few months. As per the policy of the Sports Department, Chandigarh, if any trainee gets registered at an official coaching centre, he has to pay advance fee for six months. Now, when Department’s own badminton coach has proceeded on leave and trainees are left in the lurch, will the department refund the money to the trainees.

Sriram hopeful of inclusion in Indian team
Chandigarh, September 26
Sridharan Sriram, 29-year-old all-rounder who is representing the Bishnoi cricket team in the ongoing JP Atray Cricket Tournament being held here, is all high about his achievements and hopeful of his re-inclusion in the Indian cricket squad.

Chandigarh State Badminton Meet begins
Chandigarh, September 26
Ramandeep Kaur, a Class VIII student of St Xavier’s School, Sector 44, was among those under-13 participants who appreciated the new experimentation system of scoring as envisaged by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). She surged ahead on the opening day of the 16th Chandigarh State Badminton Championship here today at the Sector 42 Indoor hall. She downed Deepshri 21-16, 21-14 and entered the third round.

GSSS-23 enter soccer semis
Chandigarh, September 26
The defending champions Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 23, registered a win over Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 46, by one goal in the Chandigarh Junior Girls Football Championship for St Stephens Trophy started at St Stephen’s School Sector-45 here today.

CBSE athletics meet
Chandigarh, September 26
The athletes of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8 in the under-19 boys’ section and Chaman Lal DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 11, Panchkula, in the under-16 girls’ section bagged team championships in the CBSE Cluster XIII Athletics meet that ended at the Sports Complex, Sector 46, today. The team championship winners in other age groups were, under-14 (girls) — St Soldier’s School, Sector 28; under-19 (girls) — Chapslee School, Shimla; under-14 and under-16 boys-Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira.

Mountaineer’s death mourned
Mohali, September 26
The Punjab Mountaineering Association held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president, Mr Jai Singh Gill, Chief Secretary, Punjab, here today. They mourned the demise of P.M. Dass, a mountaineer, while attempting to scale mountains in northern Sikkim.