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Punter places bets from media box
PCA cancels press card, lets him off
Mohali, March 12
The Punjab Cricket Association officials had to face embarrassment today when they had to cancel the accreditation of a “journalist” who was found indulging in online betting during the ongoing India-England Test match while seated in the media box.

On the fourth day of the second cricket test between India and England fans from both the countries filled the stands of the PCA Stadium at Mohali on Sunday. — Photos by Vinay Malik

Fans rush to PCA stadium as ticket prices fall
Mohali, March 12
After the decision of the Punjab Cricket Association to reduce the prices of the General Block and VIP Block tickets, today witnessed a heavy rush at the stands of the stadium on the fourth day of ongoing India-England Test match on at PCA Stadium, here. The decision on reduction combined with the weekend rush had the stands pretty full today.

Man, parents booked for dowry death
Chandigarh, March 12
The Chandigarh Police today arrested the husband of a 20-year-old woman, who reportedly died after consuming some poisonous substance on February 25 in the PGI, along with his parents on the charges of dowry death and criminal conspiracy.

Triple murder: Cop, Home Guard jawan held
Chandigarh, March 12
A Special Investigation Team of the Punjab police today arrested a constable and a Home Guard jawan of the Chandigarh Police and booked four other persons on charges of harbouring and facilitating the escape of three suspects of the February 16, Takipur triple-murder case. The car used by the accused to flee was also recovered.

Spring Fest draws huge crowds

Panchkula, March 12 The 20th Spring Fest organised by HUDA here turned out to be quite a success, with crowds from all over the region thronging here. Though the incessant rain had spoiled the inaugural day of the festival yesterday, the weather god decided to make up, with the day being bright and sunny and residents coming out in large numbers to enjoy the spring at the Town Park. From left: Winners in girls category (top) Manya Bansal, Khushi Malhotra, Raisel Nanda and winners in boys category (bottom) Adit Luthra, Shourya and Mayank Bhatnagar at a baby show during the Spring Fest held in Sector 5, Panchkula, on Sunday. — Tribune photos by Parvesh Chauhan

Indo-US nuclear deal a win-win situation for both: Ashwani Kumar
Chandigarh, March 12
The Union Minister of State for Industry, Mr Ashwani Kumar, today said the recent nuclear deal between India and USA was a win-win deal for both the countries. He also expressed the hope that the US President, Mr George W. Bush, would be able to convince the US Congress to ratify the pact.

COMMUNITY

Rain will benefit crops, say experts Chandigarh, March 12 Moderate to heavy rain in various parts of this region will prove beneficial to farmers. This is what farm experts claim. Though rain was reported in the past 48 hours from all parts of the region, yesterday it was confined to Chandigarh and the surrounding areas such as Patiala, Ambala, Morinda, Ropar and the hilly region of Himachal Pradesh.

A farmer examines his wheat crop flattened by winds near Morinda on Saturday. Experts say the crop will recover as not much damage has been caused to the plants. — Tribune photo by Manoj Mahajan

Chandigarh, March 12 At the age of 90, Honorary Flight Lieutenant, Pritam Singh Minhas is rewriting history. A member of Branch 10 of the Royal Canadian Legion with 38 years of continuous service in The Royal Air Force, The Royal Indian Air Force and The Indian Air Force, he joined the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires in 1976 and later became the first Indian to receive a medal for long service.
Honorary Flt Lieut, Pritam Singh Minhas, after receiving the Veterans Badge from The Royal British Legion. — A file photo

When docs had all the fun Chandigarh, March 12 Colours of fashion drenched PGIMER's Bhargava Auditorium as jazzy music drowned the week-long fatigue of doctors who set the ramp on fire at the annual festivities of resident doctors, titled ‘Springfest 2006’, here today. Models walk on the ramp during a fashion show, choreographed by Gagreen, on the concluding day of the ‘Springfest 2006’ at PGIMR, Chandigarh, on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

Govt harassing ’84 riot victims: Badal
Chandigarh, March 12
The Shiromani Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, for putting an end to the humiliation and harassment of the ’84 riot victims at the hands of the Punjab Government.

Land allotment to school: residents meet to Bansal
Chandigarh, March 12
A delegation of Sector 21 residents today met Mr Pawan Bansal, Union Minister of State for Finance, and apprised him about the ‘unjustified’ action of the Chandigarh Administration in floating an advertisement for the allotment of one acre of land in an open ground in Sector 21-A for a primary school.

Residents stage dharna Chandigarh, March 12 A dharna under the banner of the Chandigarh District Council Communist Party of India was organised to protest against the Chandigarh Administration's move to acquire the land of Deep Complex. Led by the Communist Party of India Deep Complex residents protest against notices at Hallomajra in Chandigarh on Sunday. — A Tribune photograph

CRIME

Man held for intimidating woman
Chandigarh, March 12
The local police arrested a Sector-37 resident for allegedly threatening a woman, a tenant of his wife, in Mani Majra last night. The accused had been living separately following a marital dispute, the police added.

One held for bootlegging
Chandigarh, March 12
The police has arrested a Kumhar Colony resident for allegedly carrying 27 bottles of country liquor.

EDUCATION

Experts mull over maximising youth potential
Mohali, March 12
A one-day seminar on "Capacity Building: Maximising potentialities of the youth" was organised at the Shivalik Institute of Education and Research, Phase 6, here. Major Jiwan Tiwari, President Indo-Chinese Friendship Association, inaugurated the function.

Seminar on IT services
Mohali, March 12
A seminar on “Tricity potential for IT and IT-enabled services” was organised yesterday by Chandigarh IT Club at SAS Institute of Information Technology and Research, here. The seminar was attended by the representatives of various IT and other companies located in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. About 200 students of MBA, MCA, BBA and BCA of SASIIT also attended the function.

Farewell to Govt college students

Chandigarh, March 12 Students of the Department of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Sales Management of the Government College, Sector 46, organised a farewell party for the final-year students here today in the college premises. Dr A.N. Garg, Principal, Government College, Sector 46, with the students who were rewarded for their performance in dance, songs and skits in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Cleanliness, water conservation drive at Kaimbwala

Chandigarh, March 12 On the initiative of the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), to make Kaimbwala a model village, the Kaimbwala gram panchayat today organised special cleanliness and water conservation campaign in which villagers participated with enthusiasm. Kaimbwala villagers level a playground in the village on Sunday. — Tribune photo by Pradeep Tewari

NGO demands overhauling of UGC NET exam
Chandigarh, March 12
A city-based NGO, educational and charitable trust, has demanded the overhauling of UGC NET examination. In a memorandum submitted to the University Grant Commission Chairman, Dr Sukhdeo, the NGO demanded his immediate attention to the problems of students taking the UGC exam.

Residents meet DPI on school upgradation
Chandigarh, March 12
A delegation led by members of the Welfare Association EWS, Maloya Complex, and its president, Ram Babu Singh, recently met DPI Schools D.S. Mangat with regard to the upgrade of the primary school in the Maloya colony.

CULTURE

Triveni of music Panchkula, March 12 The Pracheen Kala Kendra organized a 'Sham -E- Ghazal' by the Mumbai -based music composer, Triveni Prasad, better known as Triveni Bhavani at their auditorium today. Trained in Hindustani classical vocal, Triveni renders the ghazal, bhajan and folk with ease . Triveni, commenced the special concert with a popular Qateel Shaifai ghazal "Apne hathon ki lakiron mein saja le mujh ko..." Mumbai-based composer Triveni Prasad presents ghazals at Pracheen Kala Kendra on Sunday.

HEALTH

Chandigarh, March 12 The long waiting period for eye operations at the Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, is soon going to be a thing of the past. With the opening of the all-new Advanced Eye Centre on March 18 on the PGI campus, patients will have reason to cheer. The Advanced Eye Centre that will be inaugurated by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on March 18 on the PGIMER campus in Chandigarh.

Animals, traffickers occupy de-addiction centre
Chandigarh, March 12

The drug de-addiction centre started at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research has come as a big relief to drug addicts and their relatives in the region as many such efforts in the past have proven to be a damp squib.

Doctors from the General Hospital, Sector 32, function from their jeep as the building allotted for the de-addiction centre is unfit for use as a clinic; and (right) a broken door, stray cats and dogs show the plight of the day care and de-addiction centre at Dadu Majra. — Tribune photographs